An Interplay of Learning, Creativity and Narrative Biography in a Mental Health Setting: Bertie's Story

This paper describes selected findings from a research study exploring the use of a basic
literacy/creative writing course provided in a community setting for adults with long-term
mental health difficulties. It explores one case in particular, where long-term mental
illness coupled with limited verbal articulation and low levels of literacy presented
significant barriers to learning, creativity and the construction of narrative. However,
whilst little movement or development could be discerned in some participant cases where
recognisable barriers were less formidable, the case study selected illustrates a resilience and
agency on the part of one individual which enabled incremental but significant
development. The paper suggests that seeking the creative in the writing, or the meaning
in the words was to overlook the actual creative act, which was the resilient, reparative
process of coming to terms with a new identity and a new self narrative.