The idea for this group came out of the MLPC Lectures. In the engaging discussions following each talk, people shared colourful and intriguing fragments of their individual journeys. The personal, yet structured lectures created the atmosphere which prompted this spontaneous response. The time allocated for discussion was hardly enough for more than glimpse into the personal narratives which the unique quality of the lectures had awakened. So a new space had to be created for those personal accounts to be heard.

The personal narrative group came into being. This group is not just a cosy gathering where the participants tell their story, but also a pioneering research project. Its aim is to examine the different paths taken by each participant. Through utilising the richness of the experiences we hope to identify common patterns and links with which to develop a useful therapeutic method of uncovering areas of social and individual traumas in context.

The first meeting was a 'pilot of a pilot'. As well as 'getting on with the task' of narrating listening and associating, we have revised, negotiated and agreed the framework:

The group meets once a month for 2½ hours.

Meetings are divided into two parts, both dedicated to one personal narrative.

Part I - Narrating the story

Part II Group dialogue and associations

The opening question for each meeting is, 'How did I come to be here?'

When we tell our story we are letting go of our exclusive hold on to it. No longer hidden in the depth of our inner world, no longer our well kept secret, would it survive daylight? Would we survive the exposure? How would others treat it out there?

All sessions will be taped. The person whose story is on the tape will be given the tape at the end of the session to listen and express any reservations, before the tape is added to the study database.

Group members are expected to commit themselves and to ensure their availability for participation in all the planned meetings.

Facilitators: Shula Wilson and Giselle China

We have carried out various personal narrative workshops both on a monthly basis as well as one off experiences within our conferences. Further workshops are being planned. If you want to enquire about the Personal Narrative Workshop please email enquiries@mlpc-uk.org.

To join please email our secretary on enquiries@mlpc-uk.org, stating your preferred time (evening, day time, weekend). Because of the group's size (max 6) places are limited.