University of Brighton students are leading community workshops across Sussex offering people affected by cancer a meaningful way to share their experiences and find connection.
Words from the Waiting Room is a pioneering, community-driven creative project designed to help individuals impacted by cancer express their experiences through writing and collage. The initiative aims to provide a safe, inclusive space for participants to share their stories, foster support networks, and explore the emotional realities of a cancer diagnosis.
Open to all
The project is led by MA Creative Writing student and former mental health nurse Deborah Humphrey and recent MA Creative Writing graduate Karina Patfield. Open to all, these free workshops welcome anyone who has lived through cancer – whether as a patient, survivor, or supporter. They offer a supportive environment for creative expression, helping people process their journeys while engaging with others who understand.
Workshop sign up
The first workshop will take place at The Friend’s Meeting House in Brighton on 25 March, from 10:30 am to 12:30 pm – participants can sign up online here. The second will be held at The HEART Community Info Hub in Hastings Town Hall on 1 April, also from 10:30 am to 12:30 pm – participants can sign up online.
Transforming spaces into places of insight & expression
Waiting rooms in oncology clinics can often be places of stress, silence, and uncertainty. Words from the Waiting Room aims to transform these spaces into places of shared insight and artistic expression, offering an outlet for those who may struggle to voice their feelings in a clinical setting. Many individuals hesitate to speak openly in front of medical professionals, worried about how their words may impact their care. These workshops provide an alternative space for them to be heard, on their own terms.
What does each session include?
Each session includes guided creative writing prompts and the option to use collaged words, allowing participants to express their experiences in the way that feels most natural to them. These approaches ensure that everyone can engage meaningfully and find a personal way to express their journey.
The project has been made possible through funding from the Sussex Cancer Research Centre (SCRC) and the Sussex Cancer Fund. Once the workshops are complete, participants’ creative works will be shared with the SCRC, contributing to a deeper understanding of patient’s experiences of living with cancer.
