With the help of amazing people around the world, we have produced a free toolkit for survivors and victims of terrorist violence that is currently available in English, Spanish, French, and German.
The Creative Practices for Wellbeing Toolkit is a resource developed by Joanne McCuaig and Dr. Katharina Karcher. Informed by more than five years of fieldwork and an international online survey, it highlights how activities such as art, writing, gardening, music, sports, and spiritual practices can foster healing, emotional expression, and community connection. The toolkit defines creative practices as imaginative processes rather than outcomes, emphasizing their beneficial impact on participants’ wellbeing. Our research shows that most individuals discover creative practices independently but many would value more support (with 92% expressing a desire for more guidance). Real-life examples discussed in the toolkit include photography, journaling, knitting, and collaborative projects. The toolkit stresses the importance of inclusivity, recommending flexible formats and sensitivity to physical and psychological needs. Whilst developed for and with people with lived experience of terrorist violence and organizations supporting such individuals, we hope that the toolkit can also be of value to victims of crime, refugees, and others seeking creative pathways to wellbeing.
We are deeply grateful to the individuals who shared their time, experiences, and inspiration with us. If you use the toolkit and feel comfortable sharing your experience of using the toolkit, we would love to hear from you. https://forms.gle/VBzZkabz1vC7PpoEA
