This film captures the experiences of practitioners who are leading ‘Maternal Journal’ creative journaling groups and workshops for mothers and birthing parents. It was created as part of ongoing collaborative research by Dr Jessica Bradley, Senior Lecturer in Literacies and Language in the School of Education, at the intersections of arts and health. This includes links to an Arts Council England-funded podcast programme (2023-24) led by Maternal Journal founder Laura Godfrey-Isaacs and the Re-Emerge arts and health programme led by The Art House in Wakefield since 2022.
Maternal Journal is an award-winning creative journaling movement that seeks to boost wellbeing in pregnancy, birth and beyond. Established in 2017, it seeks to provide support through creating and sharing creative tools and techniques for mothers and birthing parents. Journaling groups, drawing on these materials and ideas, have been set up globally and there is a lively online community who regularly share outputs and ideas. Dr Jessica Bradley has been researching Maternal Journal since January 2022, working with a range of arts and health practitioners in West Yorkshire in collaboration with The Art House in Wakefield. This research includes ethnographic and participatory research with journaling groups, co-produced exhibitions and creative outputs, and an international survey of practitioners launched in 2024.
Credits:
Research: Dr Jessica Bradley, School of Education
Maternal Journal: Founder Laura Godfrey-Isaacs and practitioners Sally Golightly, Diane Saxon and Becca Thomas.
Film: SortOf Films
Funding: Arts Council England, Faculty of Social Sciences Knowledge Exchange Fund, Leeds Hospitals Charity and NHS Charities Together