Lauren Walters
Writing Group Facilitator
Lauren runs our Creative Writing Group for adults with Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) / Emotionally Unstable Personality Disorder (EUPD).
She creates a safe, non-judgmental and welcoming environment for group members to come together and engage in creative activities.
Where are you from?
Derby.
Why did you choose to volunteer at Borderline Arts?
I love doing anything creative, but this means more to me than self-expression. Having BPD myself, I have been looking for a positive peer support group for some time, having found others to be depressing rather than helpful. I'm an advocate for self-care and encourage anyone to support themselves practically, emotionally, physically and creatively. When I found out about Borderline Arts, I was excited to work with my peers with the same diagnosis to create a positive, supportive and creative space in which people can feel safe to express themselves about how they live with BPD. I want to encourage those like myself to take part in discussions and activities designed to help express themselves and perhaps even learn ways of managing some of the manifestations of BPD in their lives. I feel very proud utilise my skills as a writer and teacher and combine this with my personal experience of managing BPD and its symptoms. I strive to highlight the positive in the diagnosis, to encourage creative ways of expressing or dealing with symptoms and to help people with BPD to not define themselves by the illness, but rather to thrive with it.
What is your role in Borderline Arts?
I facilitate the creative writing workshop.
What is your occupation outside Borderline Arts?
I am a manager at an independent living site. I am also studying to become a mental health therapist.
How long have you volunteered with Borderline Arts?
Since May 2022.
What is your favourite colour?
Indigo.
What’s one of your favourite places in the world?
A friend's house in the south of France.
What is one of your favourite quotes?
'Travel is the only thing you can buy that makes you richer'.
Do you have any phobias?
Spiders! shudders.
Marmite: love it or hate it?
I'm a lover not a hater.
An interesting (or weird) fact about you?
I can remember how to say hello in 10+ languages but have forgotten my own date of birth...twice.
Do you have any pets?
A ginger cat called Ninja.
Introvert or Extrovert?
Depends on the day!