Hattie Edmonds
What’s on offer:
Heart Works : According to the New Scientist a closer connection between our hearts and minds, helps us to become happier, healthier and more skilful at coping with life’s challenges. Research by the HeartMath Institute demonstrates that by practicing heart coherence and self-compassion, we are able to reduce the impact of anxiety and stress while boosting our confidence, creativity and intuition. These interactive sessions focus on simple breathing and self-compassion practices as well as heart-focused meditations and creative writing. They also include key elements from my 6 week programme working with GPs patients. To date, I have delivered these Heart Works sessions to GP’s patients, community wellbeing groups, meditation teachers and groups of artists.
Email: hattie.edmonds@gmail.com
Author website: www.hattieholdenedmonds.com
Testimonials for Heart Works.
Hattie Edmonds delivered a deeply impactful 6-week Heart Harmony programme as part of the Golborne Hearted project. Through her authentic and compassionate approach, she supported participants to reconnect with their hearts and bodies, sharing practical tools to build emotional awareness and improve overall heart wellbeing. Hattie’s work is a valuable contribution to community health and wellbeing, and we are grateful for the care, insight, and dedication she brought to the Golborne-Hearted project. Symone Williams, Programme leader for project working with GP’s patients from Golborne surgery, W10.
A heartwarming and healing experience. Hattie’s knowledge and delivery opened up new pathways of understanding of this most vital organ - the centre of us all. The overall experience and meditation provided the space for some much needed healing. Mike Standish, Vedic meditation teacher.
Thank you for such an incredible and enlightening talk, exploring the wisdom of the heart. You’ve unearthed things that we should all know. Angelique Schmitt, founder of Kindred studios.
About
After a ten year career as a music journalist for the German music magazine, Bravo, Hattie became Comic Relief’s first in-house writer, where she worked on projects with Richard Curtis, Armando Iannucci and Sacha Baron Cohen, amongst others. Aside from comedy writing, she also transcribed the stories of Comic Relief project users including Rwandan widows, women experiencing domestic violence and people living with dementia. Her first novel Cinema Lumière topped the Amazon charts and her second novel, The Spectacular Vision of Oskar Dunkelblick (also published by RedDoor) was described as “a beautifully crafted and, at times hilarious, story about a young man's spiritual transformation.” Following its publication, Hattie toured schools and colleges in London and the south east to deliver ‘Writing for Wellbeing’ workshops based around the book’s main theme : “When we change the way we see things, the things we see will change”.
For 7 years Hattie volunteered weekly at the Pembridge Palliative Care unit of St Charles’s hospital in London, sharing relaxation practices with end-of-life patients. While working on her third book, about the human heart, she leads ongoing Writing for Wellbeing sessions for individuals and groups including clients at the homeless charity Refettorio Felix and patients referred by the NHS through Social Prescribing schemes. These sessions encourage people to tap into their own creativity and intuition, which helps to reduce anxiety and stress while boosting confidence and a sense of connection. They may also include identifying and working with any limiting beliefs around health, happiness and self-worth, through simple creative writing and visualisation techniques.
Testimonials from Social Prescribing Programmes
Meanwhile Gardens: “Hattie led some nourishing and relaxing creative writing sessions with patients from the Golborne Medical West Ten GP surgery, beginning the sessions with a short meditation then encouraging us to write from that space. These sessions enriched the experience of us being all together and opened us up to new possibilities. Many people surprised themselves as to how easy it was to write”. - Mary Acton Adams, Meanwhile Gardens
Refettorio Felix, Earls Court.
Refettorio Felix homeless charity: “Hattie’s Creative Writing workshops created a platform for clients to express their feelings and their inner world. So often our clients do not get the opportunity to explore their creativity and for this to be heard and shared within a group " - Nik, Head of Operations
“Hattie's lovely energy not only brought an introduction to creative writing but also provided a creative therapeutic tool to our clients" - Tina, Mental Health Coordinator
Testimonials from Schools
St Marylebone School: “Hattie showed her deep understanding of the range of complex issues so many of our students have to deal with in their daily lives. Her enthusiasm and love of writing was infectious.” — Caroline Lasko, Head of Sixth Form Enrichment
St Paul’s School for Boys, Hammersmith: “Hattie’s sessions were highly informative and provocative. As well as emphasising the importance and skill of empathy, they invited the students to consider the nature of their beliefs and how they perceive the world, and they propelled the students towards reconsidering even their most deeply held views; something we should all take time to do!” — Philip Gaydon, Philosophy teacher
Oxfordshire Hospital School, and the John Radcliffe:‘It was such an uplifting day having Hattie visit the Mental Health Inpatient Adolescent Unit. She has such a naturally positive presence and enthusiasm which is infectious. All the students left the sessions with a smile on their faces. Hattie is exactly the kind of writer to have in a hospital school. Not only is she very sensitive to their difficulties and needs but she is also passionate about making a difference to these young people's lives”. — Kerry Angus, Head of English and Literacy Lead at the Oxfordshire Hospital School, and the John Radcliffe
*Canterbury College: “Hattie Edmonds delivered a stimulating and creative workshop at Canterbury College exploring mental health issues and mindfulness strategies. My students were encouraged to discuss her book and its themes and participate in creative and effective exercises. Post session they were full of praise for Hattie, her novel and the workshop. I could not recommend this pertinent and timely workshop more”. — Greg Lawrence. Senior Media Lecturer
Reviews for Cinema Lumière
‘A stunning debut. Made me laugh out loud, cry... and ache with recognition – The Huffington Post
‘A magical, thought-provoking and uplifting tale... one of this year's must-reads' – The Mirror
‘An extraordinary, funny, soul-warming book’ – Sainsbury's Magazine
Reviews for The Spectacular Vision of Oskar Dunkelblick
“Insightful... moving ... on a par with The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night” - Linda Townsend
‘A delightfully twisted tale, full of dark humour and keen observations.’ - the Daily Mirror
“Unique, absorbing, complex and absolutely unforgettable” - Raminta Raj, Book Blogger @Book_Inspector
Connect
Website: www.hattieholdenedmonds.com
Email: hattie.edmonds@gmail.com