gemmaboyd

[gemmaboyd]

Prelude No. 1 by J. S. Bach performed by Gemma Boyd

[gemmaboyd]

La Grand Chain performed by Gemma Boyd

To find out more about my adventures on fiddle, check out my eBook, ‘Diaries of a Multi-instrumentalist Volume One: Busking Acoustically on the London Underground’ at: amazon.com/author/gemmaboyd

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(The Poetry Foundation)

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Reflections from Weeks 3 and 4 of The Enterprise Shed: Making Ideas Happen with FutureLearn

In thinking of the values of running music-based drop-ins for women who are survivors of incest, I've been asking myself questions that have further refined and focused my idea: I put myself in potential 'Music / Double Bass Drop-In Session' attendees' shoes and as a survivor myself, asked myself if I'd go along to one, and in doing so identified potential problems.

My aim is to provide a reliable, flexible, safe, creatively stimulating, empathetic, non-judgemental backdrop where women can engage in or watch music / double bass-related performances as a vehicle to self-expression and discovery, empowerment, self-confidence, communication, community and healing.

I'm mindful of the dangers of over-thinking, of coming across as being patronizing, or of reinforcing attendees feelings of 'difference'.

I'd market these sessions in blocks that I could facilitate within different organisations to fit around my life. The workshops / drop-ins would have the added value of promoting live music in general, and given that I'd be contributing a range of skills as an artist, a counsellor and my life-experience, I'd be confident about charging the going rate for my services.

Maybe I could compose a questionanaire for potential attendees to find out whether my workshops could be the right solution for the need I’ve identified, and I’d also like to involve people with different skill sets in brainstorming ideas.

I've learnt from sharing my idea of facilitating music workshops / drop-ins for women who are survivors of incest that it definitely has the potential to make a difference to lives in many positive ways, but now I need to actually get out and speak (via Skype)? to potential service users and organisations that already cater for such women to see if my proposal is realistic / needed / whether people are willing to pay for my services. 

I've learnt also from self-reflection as a survivor myself and from a peer observation, that some women may not want to interact with other service users because they may find it too 'triggering' of their issues. This made me realize that I'll need to provide a flexible environment for my sessions. The focus will be on the music and not group-therapy: My aim is to provide (an outdoor) space in which women can come together to be creative, learn, play and grow.

I'm going to contact double bassist and music practitioner, Lloyd Goldstein, who provides a similar service to what I propose, about training I'm going to need.

‘Blue Orchid’ looks like a good organisation I could approach for business support.

I wonder whether looking at other topics that used to be 'taboo' but now are discussed openly, for example, female genital mutilation, might help me in refining my idea?

I like Professor of Educational Technology, Sugata Mitra’s philosophy of letting learning happen (as a workshop facilitator I could stand back and just ask the questions).

What would be the best strategy to adopt in order to communicate my passion to people and gain their trust and confidence?

As creativity and innovation advocate, Tina Seelig has observed, every space tells a story, and I must be sure to use every resource that I have to my favour.

I shall apply the SCAMPER technique to my idea: Looking inside the ‘box’ of an idea, can lead one to consider the value of what’s outside of it.

The hardest part of this process is going to be believing in myself enough to see this proposition through!

Is my proposal ‘different’ enough?

What information do I have to show that my idea of facilitating music workshops really addresses the problem of incest?

I must put my service users at the centre of my idea: Contact the charity, NAPAC who support recovery from child abuse, to aid me in finding out whether or not my music workshop idea has legs.

Indian activist and editor, Satish Kumar’s ‘Soil, Soul and Society’ philosophy really resonates with me.

In so far as generating ideas is concerned, addressing longstanding problems that many people experience with simple, quick and low cost solutions has got to be a winner. One could also contribute ideas to an already evolving environment.

Maybe I could consider developing some kind of mobile app for survivors of incest? 

Now I must put all of these thoughts onto action.

[gemmaboyd]

Reflections from Week 2 of The Enterprise Shed: Making Ideas Happen with FutureLearn

6th February 2017

I’m a musician, writer and artist. My goal is to run face-to-face creative workshops within the London Borough of Redbridge for female survivors of incest; an idea that I could maybe recreate in my beloved Paris, France, further down the line.

The issue of sexual abuse and incest are epidemic in our society (there have been news items almost every day on the subject). Incest, in particular, is still regarded in society as a taboo subject that’s shrouded in silence, meaning that those who have been molested in this way can find it very hard to find a listening, empathetic ear (even within their own families) which, in turn, can reinforce their feelings of anger and isolation.

Even though I'm still working through my own issues of having been molested by a family member as a child, I've successfully run similar workshops (with homeless people) in the past, and feel that I have much to offer women who are not quite so far along as I am in their journeys of coming to terms with their abuse: I believe wholeheartedly in the powers of music, art, writing, and talking as means of healing, transformation, and as way to overcome one's fears and insecurities.

Being as music is the discipline that I earn an income from and am most confident in delivering, to begin with I shall focus on delivering one ‘taster’ music-based workshop first, to see how well it’s received - or maybe I should just have confidence enough in my abilities to just go for it!

Additional ideas: I also have an interest in allotmenteering as being a very grounding activity, so why not run workshops from the shed on my allotment? Perhaps I could run joint creativity and counselling-based workshops?

Finding women (from all different cultures and backgrounds) to attend my workshops could a challenge. Therefore, I could run them under the umbrella of an organization which already caters for women who are survivors of incest - and maybe draft in other members of staff / volunteers to help me run them?

I’d also have to do some up-to-date training (to consolidate and expand on the training as an integrative psychotherapist I've already done - especially around art therapy for groups, and the issue of confidentiality), plus I should ask potential workshop attendees what they think, so as to create a supportive, safe and stimulating environment for all.

I shall ask potential attendees directly about the pains they'd experience and the gains they'd value, but as a survivor  workshops in the past, I predict that 'pains' could include: Concern about the physical / psychological safety of the workshops; physical and financial accessibility to the workshops; access to work materials, and the gains could include: The power of a group of women coming together to share creative ideas; healing from trauma; the discovery of new skills, both social and artistic; a safe, boundaried space to come to...

Who would pay me to facilitate the workshops? The organization I'm working for, or the attendees? This is an important point.

Within the workshops we could create works of art that could be either shared in public (to raise awareness of, or to fundraise for organizations that support incest survivors), or that could simply be enjoyed within the group. Also, if attendees really hit on a good idea, they could sell their work in order to promote their own businesses.

How realistic is my idea in the face of funding cuts for the arts and charities? Maybe I could apply for the Redbridge Arts Grant (deadline 9th February 2017) or crowdfunding? The website, unltd.org.uk for social entrepreneurs looks as if it’d be worth checking out.

Is there really a call for this type of thing? I could ask contacts of mine like Nia; East London Rape Crisis, Mind and Survivors’ Network, plus other local outfits for those who have been victims of incest. I’ve decided I shall do my research in person, as I don’t trust the Internet in this regard.

As you can see, there is still much to think about!

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[gemmaboyd]

Reflections from Week 1 of The Enterprise Shed: Making Ideas Happen with FutureLearn

29th January 2016

I really love and have benefited from the invention of free online yoga: As someone who’s never got much money and doesn’t like the idea of attending a public class, I’ve been able to discover and practice yoga with a great teacher anywhere (due to the sophistication of internet devices) and at any time: It’s been life-changing. It’s made yoga much more accessible, which I’m sure has contributed to peoples’ universal health and fitness. Also, other ideas have grown from the online classes, for example podcasts to go with them.

Small, smart and simple ideas, for example the Post-It note, are often effective; even better if the inventor can expand their product into a range.

One thing I know, is that I’d like to work with people in person rather than online; to get out into the fresh air and enjoy some good old-fashioned human interaction! 

I think it’s important to ask myself WHY I want to work on the idea of running creative workshops for women who have been the victims of incest as children. Is it because I believe that I have something important to offer such women, or is it because I’m still struggling with my own issues surrounding this subject? Probably a bit of both; the struggle is never-ending. In terms of the bigger picture, though, I believe wholeheartedly (through personal experience) in the power of music, art, writing, and talking as means of healing and transformation.

Incest in families is epidemic, but it’s still regarded in wider society as a taboo subject that’s shrouded in silence, meaning that those who have been molested in this way can find it very hard to find a listening, empathetic ear (even within their own families) which, in turn, can reinforce their feelings of isolation.

Finding women to come to my workshops could a challenge. Therefore, maybe I could run classes within an organization that caters for women who have been victims of incest as children.

I’d have to do some up-to-date training to do with running group workshops, (even though I’ve successfully run a range of creative workshops in the past), so as to create a supportive, comfortable and stimulating environment for all those in attendance. 

Participants would have to pay a reasonable fee to attend, and then we’d create works of art and performances within the workshops that could be either shared in public or enjoyed within the group. 

Is there really a call for this type of thing? I could ask contacts of mine like Nia; East London Rape Crisis and Survivors’ Network. I’ve decided I shall do my research in person, as I don’t trust the Internet in this regard.

How realistic is my idea in the face of funding cuts for the arts? Maybe I could apply for a grant or crowdfunding? I could hire a room relatively cheaply at my local community centre, then I’d have to think of the most effective place to market them. Could I replicate my idea in Paris (where my heart lies in terms of my creativity)?

I believe that this quote is really worth bearing in mind: “A mediocre idea that generates enthusiasm will go further than a great idea that inspires no one.” - Mary Kay Ash 

If nobody shows much enthusiasm for my idea, will it really be worth pursuing?

Who / what inspires me? Passionate, direct, hard-working people who do things properly, and who aren’t afraid to be themselves. Nature and my pets inspire me enormously also. Paris and Parisian culture is something I’m in love with, and to which I’ve been drawn back again and again.

[gemmaboyd]

Reflections from Week 1 of The Enterprise Shed: Making Ideas Happen with FutureLearn

27th January 2017

I'm a musician, writer and artist. I've joined this course because I want to focus / refine my ideas and make them happen: My main objective is to enhance communication and creativity within and for the well-being of the community both in London and Paris, France, at the same time as earning more money. 

My interests lie in Arts, Crafts and Culture, Health and Well-being, Environment, Social and Community and Technology. I'd somehow like to work creatively with women who were victims of incest and / or with OCD sufferers: I’ve thought about running writing / music / poetry workshops in my local community - or in my allotment shed (thinking outside the box there)!!

Talking of sheds, Mensheds (http://www.mensheds.org.au/mens-shed-story) is a charity that resonates with me.

I believe that anyone can be entrepreneurial. Entrepreneurs display versatility; believe in the idea and oneself; determination; the ability to be thorough and enterprising; accuracy; inspiration; resilience; uniqueness; reputability; (life) experience; imagination; guts; daring; dedication; persistence; integrity; listening skills, and are constantly striving towards a focused goal. 

I have all the above qualities, apart from a focused idea and a believe in my own self-worth and entitlement to happiness / to live comfortably. In my determination to keep earning a living as a musician, I've had to find different ways to make money in the face of hardship, lack of opportunity and injury, and have called upon old skills in order to find creative fulfillment as an artist.

I really believe in everything I do, and would like to apply my ideas to solve problems; to get out there from behind my computer screen. It’s then that synchronicity happens. For me it’s about making peoples’ lives better in the face of cuts to funding for the arts, arts venues closing down, Brexit, Trump etc.. 

It’s about being confident that you have a winning idea, even in the face of other peoples’ judgments and silence... Finding something new, niche and practical. Entrepreneurs must also be decisive, optimistic, patient, crazy and have the ability to learn and move on from their mistakes.

Maybe I could try coming up with 10 ideas a day that can be interlinked and made more of a reality with the contribution of other peoples input.

[gemmaboyd]

Vivarium - a handmade collection of poetry by Gemma Boyd

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My latest ‘busking’ blog.

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gemmaprocessing.jpg by Gemma Boyd Via Flickr: My attempt at drawing my name using Processing!

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My latest ‘busking’ blog.

[gemmaboyd]

My latest ‘busking’ blog.

[gemmaboyd]

My latest ‘busking’ blog.

[gemmaboyd]

My latest ‘busking’ blog.

[gemmaboyd]

My latest ‘busking’ blog.