THE “All Seasons” writing group based at Warrington Disability Partnership have written and published their first book.
Available on Amazon in paperback and e-book, it is full of funny stories, poems and anecdotes written by the group based at the group’s HQ at the Independent Centre for Living.
It’s on sale via. Amazon at £4.59 on Kindle or £12.99 as hardback, with all the royalties from sales going to Warrington Disability Partnership.
Volunteer Cilla Shiels set up the ‘All Seasons’ writing group in October 2017.
Cilla said: “I’d sadly lost my husband earlier that year and I asked for donations to be given to Warrington Disability Partnership Supported Living Centre. We’d both taught Special Education in the local college and we’d liaised with the Charity on numerous occasions on behalf of our student’s welfare.
“I dropped £500 into the Centre reception and felt, that’s the end of that – or so I thought. A Centre colleague who remembered us both, rung to offer her condolences, but at the same time apologised for being an opportunist. The Centre wanted to offer local people a writing group and she thought I’d fit the bill. I decided to give it a go as it was only a six-week programme and it would give me a focus during a difficult time in my life.
“Eight people joined the group and after four weeks they were asking if it could continue. I passed on their wishes to the Centre manager- his reply was positive, ‘Cilla, you can run the group for as long as you wish. The 6-week deadline was there in case the project wasn’t viable.’ This was music to the ears of the members and myself.
“Some members left for personal reasons, others have joined, but the group is a solid base for anyone with or without disabilities to join and start writing.”
The group meet on Wednesdays 1.30 – 3.30pm at the Centre and enjoy reading out their work, critiquing others sensitively and taking up suggested writing topics. A cup of tea and a biscuit at break time makes for a pleasant afternoon.
Cilla added: “In March 2020, I suggested to the group that all their short stories, poems and anecdotes could be compiled in a book and published on Amazon and any royalties donated to the Charity. No sooner asked, the group took up the baton and submitted many pieces of their work for publication. Members of the group were pleased to see their work in print for the first time. One member suggested that, given many of our articles are aimed at different times throughout the year such as Christmas, Easter and Bonfire Night, we entitled it ‘All Seasons’ which reflects our work.
“Although Covid-19 put paid to our meeting temporarily, we’ve kept in contact via. email and telephone with me sending ideas to keep the writing juices going. Members are currently sending contributions to me for Version 2 of ‘All Seasons’ book.
“We aim to keep writing, stay focussed and encourage others to join us!”
For more details email [email protected] or telephone Warrington Disability Partnership on (01925) 240064 after the lockdown for a start-up date.
