Chair’s Report: Stuckness and Play
Some of the UKAGP organising committee enjoying the 2024 residential conference
This newsletter is a continuation of the theme of our wonderful conference in June this year. I know how much I enjoyed all aspects of us exploring these experiences and I’m looking forward to reading what has evolved from those days together. I am sure you too will be reminded of or will gain something of the event from reading this newsletter.
I’m currently in Mijas, Andalucia, a beautiful and very warm place and fully experiencing my stuckness in relation to writing this report. I am also appreciating my capacity to play in this environment and my thoughts go to - is my stuckness a push against my taking responsibility? I generally think that ‘sticking’ myself is a pull-back from doing something that would not be acceptable to others….now I think I’m going down a rabbit hole…!
Both stuckness and play are energetic and my thoughts go to play being explorative and creative whereas stuckness can bring an opportunity to wait, pause, consider. I had an experience this morning of walking down a stone circular staircase in the place I am staying and having a momentary thought of what fun it would be to tumble down the twisting stairs.…..it was momentary……I felt the joy and stopped at just the thought. This, for me, symbolizes the benefit of being aware of both.
Reflecting on our 2024 residential conference in Leamington Spa I want to thank everyone involved – the Conference Organisers, Jon and Roz who led the plenary session, all the workshop leaders, the process group leaders and, of course, everyone who attended. My experience was of being part of a wonderful group consisting of familiar Gestalt friends and colleagues and new members, including some first year trainees. I felt that together we created a moving, thought provoking and fun experience.
My thanks go to Hannah Turner, Liz Beauchamp, Lindsey Tull, Gosia Lanigan, Hugh Pidgeon from the Organising Group for making this happen and to everyone else for doing it!
At our AGM there were several members who have volunteered to contribute to the organisation going forward. These include Christine Stevens, Nicola Woodward, Emma Brodrick and Katy Swoboda. It is wonderful to have continued energy and interest in the organisation. I know that everyone has full and busy lives and I also believe that this organisation is so important to maintain so that existing and new Gestalt practitioners can continue to meet and learn from each other. Please do let us know what events or ideas for groups you may have so that we can help you with the communication of these. This also helps us (the OC) ensure we are contributing to the life force and growth of UKAGP.
Finally, as I said when closing the AGM – it was my birthday on the Sunday of our conference and I want to thank all of you who were there – for coming to my party!
Ruth Nightingale
Current Chair of UKAGP
