Woodland Mindfulness

10/10/2025

Really do encourage you to step outside today

10/10/2025

On World Mental Health Day know that my inbox and door is always open!

As a trained Creative Therapist I am a good listener who offers genuine and authentic support.

Next week you can find me at SJs in Coney Hall on Monday 10-11.30 - a space where you can simply come and just be, come and chat, as well as come and paint and connect in community

Monday night 7.30pm is our Reflections UK women’s group at Bromley Town Cricket club, a sacred space where we fully acknowledge each individual person in a supportive group of like minded women

Wednesday is Beckenham Good Afternoon Choir 1-3pm at St John’s church hall, Eden Park where quite frankly community is more important than the singing! Ha ha … we even meet together an hour before from 12pm to chat, share stories of our week and have lunch or a cuppa

Thursday is ‘Singing Social’ with soup and a sing along for some of my local community held at my house following the closure of the Biggin Hill GAC with plenty of time for pure connection and support

Friday I will be at my desk with the online community of students training in Holistic Integrated Creative Arts Therapy Devine-Creative Education

Know that I always have time for you and am here to listen and support

07/10/2025

Some many of these sentiments are what we teach on our creative therapy course … take a moment to read to the end and savour the words.

Rest in peace to a wonderful lady

https://www.facebook.com/share/17FYdZ2Umf/?mibextid=wwXIfr

The West End will dim its lights on Tuesday at 7 PM in memory of Dame Patricia Routledge who has died age 96.

Before that, everyone should read this — her words (written one year ago) about ageing, creativity and peace are simply extraordinary.

“I’ll be turning 95 this coming Monday. When I was younger, I often worried I wasn’t good enough—that I’d never be cast again, that I’d disappoint my mother. But these days begin in peace and end in gratitude.

In my forties, my life finally began to make sense. Before that, I’d performed steadily—provincial stages, radio plays, West End productions—but felt somewhat lost. I was searching for something within myself, a home I hadn’t yet found.

At 50, I took a television role that many of you would later know me by—Hyacinth Bucket from Keeping Up Appearances. I thought it would just be a minor role, a brief moment. I never expected it to become beloved across the globe. That character taught me to embrace my quirks and quietly healed something deep within me.

At 60, I started learning Italian—not for my career, but simply so I could sing opera in its native tongue. I learned the gentle art of living alone without loneliness, reading poetry aloud each night—not to perfect diction, but to soothe my spirit.

At 70, I returned to Shakespearean theatre, a place I once thought I’d aged out of. This time, there was nothing to prove. I stepped onto those legendary boards with calmness. The audience felt that serenity. I had stopped performing; I was simply being.

At 80, I discovered watercolor painting. I painted flowers from my garden, nostalgic hats from my youth, and faces glimpsed on the London Underground—each painting was a silent memory made tangible.

Now, at 95, I write letters by hand. I’m learning the simple joy of baking rye bread. I still breathe deeply each morning. Laughter remains precious, though I no longer feel the need to make others laugh. Quietness is sweeter than ever.

I’m writing this today to share something simple and true:

Growing older isn’t a final act—it can be life’s most exquisite chapter if you allow yourself to bloom once more.

Let the years ahead be your treasure years.

You don’t have to be perfect, famous, or adored.

You only need to be present—fully—for the life that’s yours.

You only need to be present—fully—for the life that’s yours.

With warm and gentle love,
— Patricia Routledge"

RIP

06/10/2025

So the book I saw launched on Friday in London is half price!

It’s a lovely book to gift to a loved one! Or to treat yourself to!

HALF PRICE ALERT!

Lovely readers, If you haven’t got your copy yet, this is a fabulous deal 🤩🙏🏻

tgjonesuk

Order here: https://www.tgjonesonline.co.uk/Product/Donna-Ashworth/Joy-Chose-You-The-Essential-Collection--Words-for-Hope-Comfort-and-Light/15775030

If you do have your copy and love it, your reviews mean so much 🤗💛

06/10/2025

Sharing this link to lots of amazing online workshops as part of Mental health week

05/10/2025

A year of wonderful Art for Wellbeing workshops with Woodland Mindfulness

Every Monday during term time 10-11.30am at SJs, Coney Hall

All welcome! All resources and refreshments provided for donation

Woodland Mindfulness

02/10/2025

I used to write poetry every day as a teenager, I have books and books of rhyming lines that helped me navigate my way during those challenging growing years …

I wonder why I stopped writing?

It’s national poetry day

and the launch day of my new book

Joy Chose You.

I love poetry simply for the way it connects hearts and souls. That’s it. Simple. It helps.

ODE TO THE OVERS
If you are an over-thinker, an over-feeler, an over-sharer, an over-healer you will know, that this way of being does not flow. It takes work. To constantly seek light, to stitch wounds, on skin so paper thin it barely holds our souls within. Poetry helps. It unwraps the pain to reveal the source and instantly floods comfort through like a force. Poetry is a pressure release, it helps the mental chatter cease. And when you are down on your knees, let it bring your soul some peace.
 
Donna

01/10/2025

This looks like a lovely programme..

👀Free 6-Week Autumn Wellbeing Workshop Series

The Wellbeing Circle’s Autumn Wellbeing Workshop Series is a free 6-week programme designed to support personal growth, connection, and seasonal self-care.

📅Wednesdays from 8th October – 12th November
📍 The Hawthorn Centre, Penge

To book a free place: jobsandtraining@clarionhg.com

Each week explores a unique theme to help participants reflect, recharge, and build resilience:

✅Week 1: Autumn Intentions & Grounding
✅Week 2: Nature & Mindfulness
✅Week 3: Harvesting Joy & Letting Go
✅Week 4: Looking Ahead & Setting Goals
✅Week 5: Cozy Connections / Nurturing Relationships
✅Week 6: Preparing for Winter / Self-Care Planning

Participants will enjoy Creative activities and discussions ; reshments ; IAG with ESOs from Jobs & Training; wellness goodie bags and raffle prizes! SE20 Community Magazine

01/10/2025

…. Power of music! … connection… vibrations…

https://www.facebook.com/share/r/1AQxzeNqmB/?mibextid=wwXIfr

29/09/2025

How stunning are these webs this morning! … bit early for Halloween decorations !

28/09/2025

Love this!

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