October was such a beautiful month, full of creativity, connection and time spent with some truly wonderful people. A heartfelt thank you to everyone who joined a workshop or gathering, and to all those who shared conversations and moments along the way. Our recent Samhain gathering was a particularly special evening, and I've shared some reflections on the blog.
There are lots of new faces finding their way to This Mortal Life, so if you're new here, a very warm welcome! Take a look around, explore what's on offer and, if something resonates, reach out for a chat or come along to an event.
As we move deeper into the colder months, I'm excited to share that some new offerings are taking shape for 2027, creating even more opportunities to explore, reflect and connect creatively in the year ahead. More on those in the coming months, so watch this space!
In the meantime, keep reading for news of upcoming events, gatherings and other ways to stay curious, creative and connected with This Mortal Life as we approach the end of 2026. I hope to see you soon!
This Mortal Life’s Virtual Silent Book Club of Death UK
Our next virtual silent book club of death is on Sunday 15th November, 8pm. These online meetups include 30-40 minutes of everyone reading silently a book of their own choosing, followed by optional chatting about the books we’re reading. They will also be great opportunities to get book recommendations, network with people working in death and grief spaces and meet interesting new people.
All welcome to join us for this book club where we’re comfortable discussing themes on grief and mortality.
Craft & Chat @
Weston Artspace
Starting Thursday 19th November. Following the themes of grief and mortality explored in the lead up to the Good Grief Festival, we’ll now be focusing on themes of what it means to be alive - the joys and pleasures that make life worth living. Bring your own project and resources or dip into the creative offerings and prompts provided. A new prompt and creative resources will be offered each month to inspire your creativity. Drop in any time for a chat and creative crafting between 6-8pm, the kettle will be on.
Winter Solstice
Our next seasonal gathering takes place on Sunday, 20th December, as we come together to mark the Winter Solstice.
The Winter Solstice invites us into a period of reflection, creating space to look inward, consider where we've been putting our energy in the year gone, and think about the experiences we want to invite into the year ahead.
For this gathering, we're doing things a little differently. We'll be meeting in the workshop space at The Random Mug for seasonal refreshments and a creative Winter ritual designed to help us explore our hopes and intentions for the coming year.
This will be a smaller, more intimate gathering, and we'd love to welcome back those of you who've joined us around the seasonal table before. With just eight spaces available, we're keeping this one as a little get-together for our existing gathering community on a first come, first serve basis.
If you'd like to join us, simply drop me a message to reserve your seat. We hope to see some familiar faces there!
And if you've been thinking about joining one of our seasonal gatherings but haven't made it along just yet, we'd love to welcome you in 2027. There'll be plenty more opportunities to come together, mark the turning of the seasons and connect creatively in community with other curious minds.
Exciting news! The 52 Meditations art piece has a new home…
From June - September 2026, members and friends of Weston Artspace reworked a deck of playing cards on themes of grief and mortality. The completed collaboration was framed and hung at Weston Artspace as part of an exhibition for the Good Grief Festival in October.
The cards explore varying perspectives and thoughts on the many forms of grief we experience as we move through life as well as examining some of the anxieties people face when contemplating their own mortality. Thanks to Drop Dead Generous for funding this project and to the Weston Artspace community for making space to explore these themes together.
I’m really pleased to share that from this week, the framed art piece will be on display at the Random Mug in Weston-Super-Mare. This new arts-based coffee shop and alcohol-free bar provides the perfect home for our 52 Meditations on Mortality; be sure to pop in and see it soon. And while you’re there, try their seasonal hot spiced apple - it’s wonderful 🖤
On the Blog
Share & Connect
If something here resonated, there are a few simple ways to stay connected: come along to an event, share your reflections with me, or pass this newsletter on to someone who might enjoy what we’re creating here. And if you’d like to stay close to the rhythm of things between gatherings, you can find This Mortal Life on Instagram and Facebook, where I share regular reflections and updates.
A Final Note…
Everything I share through This Mortal Life…our gatherings, community conversations, blog posts and resource library, is created with love and a genuine desire to support people as they navigate living, grieving and dying.
This isn't my full-time job or a commercial venture. I create these resources in the spaces around my paid work, my relationships and my own life, and I offer much of it freely because I believe conversations about mortality, community building and a more hopeful future should be accessible to everyone.
That does mean things don't always arrive on a perfectly predictable schedule. My hope is that what I offer feels thoughtful, generous and worthwhile, even if it's occasionally a little imperfect. Thank you for being part of it, and for helping make this community what it is.
If you have benefited from any of my offerings or experiences you’ve had through This Mortal Life, please share your positive vibes with me. Not only is it a boost to me, but it’s great for providing evidence for future funding applications. Thank you!
