Looking back to Schwerin

What a beautiful (and busy) week we had in Schwerin, Germany. The Patchwork Center made us very welcome and prepared everything for us, including the registration of the therapy groups! We were able to come, set up the space and get started. And that is not normal for us 🙂 Normally we take care of everything ourselves, from advertising and registration to clean-up and evaluation. Now we could join in and go!

There was even a studio apartment available for us in one of the characteristic plattenbau flats in the area!

Art therapy was not well-known, and that happens often. How special to see that people are curious, participate and discover that they can do something with it! The characteristic of art therapy (making something yourself and going home with something that helps you in your daily life) fitted in very well with the target group that likes practical and visible.

Since we were only there for a week, we chose to focus on themes.
We started with an assignment inspired by a song by Puhdys – Alt wie ein Baum. When a storm comes, the tree gets its strength from its roots. What do the roots in your life look like? We learned what emotions do to us physically and zoomed in on one chosen emotion. We have considered which things help you move forward and which things in your life hold you back. And we looked at what you have control over and what not.
In the meantime, our church benches were sanded and lacquered by M with help! And in between all of that, we had plenty of conversations that we enjoyed a lot!

Language was a bit of a challenge, although I discovered that my German is still better than my Polish! Fortunately, there was a translator present every time for the German-speaking group, who also participated in the group.

In short – we met a lot of people, felt very welcome and had a wonderful week.

And Patchwork Center: Thank you very much for your hospitality and your efforts to welcome us!