“In a world where connections can be countless but depth is rare, this is exactly where indulging in writing can not only offer a reflection time but also foster authentic connections!” – Shubhangi Bhardwaj, WCC Facilitator
Meet Shubhangi Bhardwaj and Gursween Padda! In celebration of International Youth Day, we are pleased to spotlight these two WCC facilitators who bring workshops to young adult writers. We asked Shubhangi and Gursween about their experience as facilitators at McGill University, and how they see writing as a community support.
Describe your journey as a WCC facilitator. What brought you to your first WCC workshop?
SHUBHANGI: My desire to find depth in human connection and appreciation for genuineness has always been the guiding light of my life. The day I first became part of WCC via training, right from that moment, I knew this was something I wanted to devote my time and energy to. Not only did those few days of training help me connect with myself deeply, but also with the souls around me during the training as well (despite it being virtual). Not that we were casually chit-chatting, but our expression through our respective writing pieces helped us feel the emotions of the other person, which sometimes our “regular interactions” fail to account for. It truly left me with the realization that if a session can be this powerful and has the ability to touch people deeply, why not be the one to help spread the beauty of WCC workshops far and beyond? And all I want to say is, I’ve never regretted my decision!” It keeps me grounded, humane, grateful, and optimistic! A special shout-out to Kook Hu, whom I randomly met at one of the workshops at PGSS McGill, and he directed me towards this wonderful organization I had no idea existed! And honestly, that has further added light, beauty, and depth to my life!
GURSWEEN: My first-ever WCC workshop was during university, when a friend introduced me to the Creative Writing space. The workshop was a space where people could write freely, experiment with their ideas, and share their work without fear of judgment. I found it fascinating to see how a simple writing prompt could lead everyone in such different and unexpected directions.
That first experience stayed with me and eventually inspired me to become a WCC facilitator myself. As a facilitator, I wanted to help create the same kind of welcoming and encouraging environment that I had experienced as a participant. Writing also became a personal way for me to journal my emotions and thoughts, and to make sense of experiences that I sometimes found difficult to put into words.
What do you experience in a WCC workshop, when you write in community?
SHUBHANGI: I deeply feel a genuine appreciation for human nature. More specifically, it’s fascinating to experience how WCC actively encourages us to be ourselves, and to find the “good/positive” things in each other’s writing without centering the person. The message in itself is clear: praise or criticism do not define our being; we are all worth it just as we are. Secondly, our workshops provide a space for everyone to find their voice, even if we think we don’t have one. The same goes for the “writer” thing. I never considered myself to be a writer, until I realized, oh my god, I have this in me! Writing in the WCC community is phenomenal and magical – the world truly needs such an organization.
GURSWEEN: I feel inspired. I love hearing different writing prompts and seeing how everyone’s mind takes the same idea and runs in completely different directions. Sometimes, a single sentence can stay with me long after the workshop ends and make me reflect on my own experiences in a new way. What I appreciate most about WCC workshops is the sense of safety they create. It is a space where I can put my thoughts onto paper without worrying about whether they are “perfect” or whether someone will judge them. Writing in community reminds me that vulnerability does not have to be scary. I can show up with messy ideas and unfinished thoughts, and somehow, someone can still find beauty in them.
What role does writing play in helping build confidence and connection in youth?
SHUBHANGI: Writing, and especially creative writing like this one, can go a long way to help the youth connect with themselves and those around them deeply. In a world where connections can be countless but depth is rare, this is exactly where indulging in writing can not only offer a reflection time but also foster authentic connections! In my opinion, confidence is not about being the loudest person in the room, but being so grounded that you know your worth is innate from the moment you were born, and cannot be taken away by anything in life! Writing then helps you realize this message practically, where you don’t have to perform, prove, or impress! All you have to do is JUST BE! And that is what we all desperately need, especially in today’s world!
GURSWEEN: The process of writing helps us understand our thoughts, feelings, and even truths that we did not realize were there. When we write, we are given the opportunity to pause, reflect, and search for answers within ourselves. I think this is incredibly important for young people. When we are young, we are constantly absorbing messages about who we should be and how we should think. Writing gives us a rare space to step away from all of that noise and reconnect with our own thoughts and experiences. It reminds us that our emotions and perspectives are meaningful and deserve to be expressed. Writing can transform a thought that feels small or difficult to articulate into something tangible. When young people are given the freedom to express themselves without fear of judgment, they begin to trust their own voices. I believe that this trust is the foundation of confidence and connection.
As a facilitator how have you seen writing and community connection as a form of support for youth? Why are social prescriptions that create spaces for creativity, belonging, and self-expression so important right now?
SHUBHANGI: Expanding on my former point, I believe both writing and community connection form a critical foundation for youth support! While I agree, it is far easier to connect online and have a large network, but real community connection cannot blossom until we step out of our usual or today’s “familiar” way of connecting! Here is a question for all of you to consider: “How many of you deep within your heart know that you have true, genuine connections in life who will be there for you”? That is where you will get an honest reflection regarding belongingness. Despite being connected, we feel lonely deep inside, do not want to be with the voices in our head (I get it), and are trying to fit into some or the other type of societally created mould. That is why creative writing becomes important to let you be yourself whichever way you want to be, practice the art of being truly present, and indulge in active listening (honestly, I’ve a long way to go for this one)! As for self-expression, I can’t stress this enough, given that we second-guess ourselves and usually come in our way before the world ever gets a chance to do that. And by the time we realize that nobody was judging us as harshly as we do, we are almost done with half a century of our lives, and that is why knowing that “if you are okay with who you are without pleasing others; that is all you really need to be happy!” WCC beautifully touches all those three aspects without ever making it obvious, and I speak from my experience that it has really benefited my life in innumerable ways!
GURSWEEN: Support does not always come in the form of advice; sometimes, it comes from creating a space where someone feels safe enough to express themselves. A young person can walk into a workshop thinking, “No one could possibly understand this,” and then hear someone else share something that makes them feel seen. Sometimes, putting a particular thought into words is the first step toward understanding it. Writing allows young people to process what they have been carrying and find a sense of clarity and closure. I have seen the sense of relief that people experience when their internal thoughts are expressed on a piece of paper. They feel lighter because something that once existed only within themselves has finally been acknowledged and given a place to exist beyond their inner
world. I think this is why community and belonging are so important, especially right now. Young people are growing up in a world where it is increasingly easy to feel disconnected, isolated, and misunderstood. Spaces for creativity and self-expression offer something that is becoming increasingly rare: a place where young people can show up as they are, without having to perform, hide, or pretend. These spaces remind youth that their voices matter, their experiences have value, and they belong.
Why do YOU write?
SHUBHANGI: Well, this one makes me slightly emotional! As I said before, I never considered myself to be a writer, but when I embarked on this journey, I’ve only fallen in love with it! I do want to quote a little personal anecdote- before joining this, I underwent a very challenging time in my life that completely shattered me, where I felt lost and questioned the meaning and purpose of life! And thisvery outlet not only helped me heal but also ignited a hope in me that the world is beautiful and people are good too. Sometimes we just need the courage to break ties with environments that are taking our essence away from us! WCC made me realize the power of writing. I started forgiving, cried countless times while reading my piece of writing, and discovered a very different kind of strength (that is inexplicable). I thank the universe for letting me realize the power of writing, which had to be via the route of WCC in this lifetime!
GURSWEEN: I write because it is a way for me to connect with myself. Through writing, I am able to slow down and understand my thoughts, my emotions, and my desires in a way that I cannot always do in the rush of everyday life. I journal regularly because it gives me a space to be completely honest with myself. It is a place where I can release what I am carrying, make sense of my experiences, and explore the parts of myself that are still unfolding. Sometimes, writing helps me find clarity when I feel uncertain; other times, it allows me to sit with curiosity and discover new perspectives I had never considered before. Writing is also a way of understanding who I am becoming. It allows me to be curious about my own experiences and to connect more deeply with my emotions.
Thank you, Shubhangi and Gursween, for the care, creativity, and openness you bring to your work as WCC facilitators. We’re grateful for the spaces you help create, where youth can find their voices, express themselves authentically, and discover the power of connection.