“I found very clearly that seniors write because they have a lot to say. They share the wisdom of their lived experiences and it is an honour to hear them.”
– Helen, WCC Facilitator
October 1 marked National Seniors Day, a dedicated opportunity to celebrate the rich lives of older adults and reflect on ways we can, together, reduce community barriers for seniors.
In observance of National Seniors Day, we’re proud to introduce WCC facilitator Helen Kennedy, who currently facilitates WCC workshops at one of Woodgreen Community Services’ senior living centres.
DESCRIBE YOUR JOURNEY AS A WCC FACILITATOR – HOW DID YOU FIND US, AND WHEN DID YOU BECOME A FACILITATOR?
HELEN: I heard about WCC from David Lightfoot and Shaughnessy Bishop-Stall in my writing group. They raved about it and I followed through with an application. I took my facilitator training in June of 2022 and my first assignment began in February – Fridays at noon. I’m still doing this workshop today. In March this year, I was asked to facilitate at the St. Hilda’s Seniors building with Woodgreen. The 4-week session was eventually extended until the end of June. I’m looking forward to returning to this group in November.
WHAT BRINGS YOU TO VOLUNTEERING? AND HOW DOES FACILITATING OLDER ADULT WORKSHOPS ALIGN WITH YOUR OBJECTIVES AND ASPIRATIONS AS A VOLUNTEER?
HELEN: Before I retired, I was the coordinator of a community centre for Toronto Parks and Recreation and facilitated many meetings with community members and seniors’ groups. Since I’ve retired, I started creative writing courses at the University of Toronto and began writing a memoir. The opportunity to volunteer at WCC matched my love of facilitating with my love for writing.
WHERE DOES WRITING FIT IN THE LIVES OF SENIORS? WHAT DO YOU EXPERIENCE IN A WCC WORKSHOP, WHEN AN OLDER ADULT WRITES IN COMMUNITY?
HELEN: The St. Hilda’s writing workshop is phenomenal. The experience reinforces my conviction that older adults are among the most under-estimated groups of people. Some were very worried about first putting pen to paper, but after establishing a safe space to share, lifetimes of memories poured out.
Seniors have so much to write about and this particular group didn’t disappoint. We travelled the world to Trinidad, Jamaica, Portugal, Hawai’i, South Africa, and the Philippines and expanded our horizons about natural landscapes, schooling, our parents, our children and lives lost.
I found very clearly that seniors write because they have a lot to say. They share the wisdom of their lived experiences and it is an honour to hear them.
WHAT IMPACT HAVE YOU WITNESSED, THROUGH FACILITATING BRAVER SPACES FOR OLDER ADULTS TO DISCOVER AND EXPRESS THEIR AUTHENTIC SELVES?
HELEN: Participants attended every week, notwithstanding medical appointments or family commitments. There were tears, laughter and hugs. Each week their voices grew stronger and the eagerness to write increased. They even wanted homework!! We celebrated the end of our sessions with an incredible array of our favourite foods.
WHAT IS THE SIGNIFICANCE OF FACILITATING WRITING WORKSHOPS JUST FOR OLDER ADULTS? WHAT IS IMPORTANT ABOUT THESE KINDS OF SPACES?
HELEN: Facilitating in a seniors-only group goes a long way to establishing a safe space. There is an immediate respect for one another and a deep understanding of the range of experiences.
The role that Woodgreen plays in supporting these groups is also essential. Their role in outreach, logistics (including snacks!), and putting participants at ease helps WCC focus on facilitation.
Once seniors groups are established, though, I believe there is great potential to look for opportunities to include youth into inter-generational groups in the future, perhaps linking with area high schools, for example.
WHY DO YOU WRITE? TELL US ABOUT YOUR RELATIONSHIP TO WRITING!
HELEN: I have just completed my memoir, part of which I will submit for my final project to complete a Certificate in Creative Writing from the University of Toronto. The weekly writing that I do with participants each week helps me focus on items I expand on later.
But most of all, my WCC workshops are inspiring and I leave each week with renewed belief in the power of the written word and my faith in humanity restored.
Thank you, Helen, for your steadfast work as a community member, WCC facilitator, and writer. We are so inspired by your work.