Write to Life
We’re the world's only long running creative writing group for survivors of torture. Our members meet each week to explore stories and ideas. If they choose to write about their experiences, we help them process thoughts and feelings in a safe environment.
Who we are
Write to Life has been working with survivors from around the world for more than 20 years.
We welcome writers at all levels of experience – or none. Some of our members were journalists whose writing was the reason they were tortured. Others haven’t done any creative writing since they were at school.
What we do
Our weekly workshops involve activities and exercises to help writers express their ideas and develop their voice. We write everything from the very practical, such as letters and CVs and letters, to poems and stories.
We also do special projects: a powerful theatre piece called souvenirs, a multimedia alphabet of poverty, a binaural soundscape about coming to London.
The workshops help us spread our creative wings as writers, find our voices in a new language and, when we’re ready, process painful thoughts or experiences from the past.
Writing also helps rebuild identity when torture has threatened to obliterate it. Reading what we have written, we rediscover who we are.
Every writer can also access one-on-one sessions with one of our volunteer mentors, who are professional writers from many backgrounds.
Why it’s important
Being part of Write to Life helps people who have survived torture process their experiences and express their emotions in a safe space. It also supports us to recover our confidence and create connections with others.
Our writing has a powerful impact on the world around us, too. By sharing our work, we’ve shown that music, imagery, poetry and drama can open audiences up to difficult stories, giving them insights into the painful realities faced by those who have experienced torture.
We also contribute to reports, appeals and campaigns, communicating the human reality behind the issues.
Who we work with
Our writers work with museums, galleries, theatre companies and world class artists and performers. Past collaborators have included both Tate galleries, the Victoria and Albert Museum, the British Museum, the Roundhouse, Jackson's Lane, ice&fire and Universal Music.
We also share our stories and perspectives with the public directly through media outlets such as Al Jazeera, Metro and the Huffington Post.