Hattie Edmonds
What’s on offer:
Writing for Wellbeing sessions which focus on using your own life experiences, feelings and emotions as inspiration. I will share some simple mindfulness practices to help access both your intuition and the full range of your senses, bringing your writing to life.
Please get in touch to sign up for one of the group classes.
Email: hattie.edmonds@gmail.com
Website: www.hattieholdenedmonds.com
About
After a ten year career as a music journalist for the German music magazine, Bravo, Hattie became Comic Relief’s first in-house writer, where she worked on projects with Richard Curtis, Armando Iannucci and Sacha Baron Cohen, amongst others. Aside from comedy writing, she also transcribed the stories of Comic Relief project users including Rwandan widows, women experiencing domestic violence and people living with dementia. Her first novel Cinema Lumière topped the Amazon charts and her second novel, The Spectacular Vision of Oskar Dunkelblick (also published by RedDoor) was described as “a beautifully crafted and, at times hilarious, story about a young man's spiritual transformation.” Following its publication, Hattie toured schools and colleges in London and the south east to deliver ‘Writing for Wellbeing’ workshops based around the book’s main theme : “When we change the way we see things, the things we see will change”.
For 7 years she volunteered weekly at the Pembridge Palliative Care unit of St Charles’s hospital in London, sharing relaxation practices with end-of-life patients. While working on her third book, about the human heart, Hattie leads ongoing Writing for Wellbeing sessions for individuals and groups including clients at the homeless charity Refettorio Felix and patients referred by the NHS through Social Prescribing schemes. These sessions encourage people to tap into their own creativity and intuition, which has been shown top help reduce anxiety and stress and boost confidence and a sense of connection. They may also include identifying and working with any limiting beliefs around health, happiness and self-worth, through simple creative writing and visualisation techniques.
Testimonials for Hattie’s Social Prescribing sessions and School/College visits.
Oxfordshire Hospital School, and the John Radcliffe:
‘It was such an uplifting day having Hattie visit the Mental Health Inpatient Adolescent Unit. She has such a naturally positive presence and enthusiasm which is infectious. All the students left the sessions with a smile on their faces.
Hattie is exactly the kind of writer to have in a hospital school. Not only is she very sensitive to their difficulties and needs but she is also passionate about making a difference to these young people's lives. — Kerry Angus, Head of English and Literacy Lead at the Oxfordshire Hospital School, and the John Radcliffe.
Canterbury College:
“Hattie Edmonds delivered a stimulating and creative workshop at Canterbury College exploring mental health issues and mindfulness strategies. My students were encouraged to discuss her book and its themes and participate in creative and effective exercises. Post session they were full of praise for Hattie, her novel and the workshop. I could not recommend this pertinent and timely workshop more”. — Greg Lawrence. Senior Media Lecturer
Pembridge Hospice, Central London Community Healthcare.
‘Thank you for all your amazing contribution. You made such a difference to the patients, and touched them in a way that you don't even realise.’
Dil Chowdhury-Mahi - Volunteer Manager.
Meanwhile Gardens Social Prescribing Project
Hattie lead some nourishing and relaxing creative writing sessions on the GP walks, beginning the sessions with a short meditation then encouraging us to write from that space. These sessions enriched the experience of the walk, of us being all together and opened us up to new possibilities. Many people surprised themselves as to how easy it was to write. - Mary Acton Adams, Meanwhile Gardens
Reviews for Cinema Lumière:
‘A stunning debut. Made me laugh out loud, cry... and ache with recognition – The Huffington Post
‘A magical, thought-provoking and uplifting tale... one of this year's must-reads' – The Mirror
‘An extraordinary, funny, soul-warming book’ – Sainsbury's Magazine
Reviews for The Spectacular Vision of Oskar Dunkelblick:
“Insightful... moving ... on a par with The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night” - Linda Townsend
‘A delightfully twisted tale, full of dark humour and keen observations.’ - the Daily Mirror
“Unique, absorbing, complex and absolutely unforgettable” - Raminta Raj, Book Blogger @Book_Inspector
More testimonials for school visits.
King Alfred school, Hampstead:
“The talk was exactly what we always dream our lectures will be. Students loved the mix of reading from Oskar Dunkelblick, videos, discussions and the whole tone of the talk.” — Sheila Hanlon, Assistant Head of Sixth Form
St Paul’s school, Hammersmith:
“Hattie’s sessions were highly informative and provocative. As well as emphasising the importance and skill of empathy, they invited the students to consider the nature of their beliefs and how they perceive the world, and they propelled the students towards reconsidering even their most deeply held views; something we should all take time to do!” — Philip Gaydon, Philosophy teacher
St Marylebone school:
“Hattie showed her deep understanding of the range of complex issues so many of our students have to deal with in their daily lives. Her enthusiasm and love of writing was infectious.” — Caroline Lasko, Head of Sixth Form Enrichment