Parable storytelling events by Jolene Sheehan

Parable was a series of true-life storytelling events we led over a year at Ascension.  They created a safe and welcoming place to share our stories in front of a friendly and encouraging audience or for people to simply come along to listen to others' tales.

Each month had a different theme. Participants interpreted these themes as they wished and told a 5 minutes maximum story. 

Some themes included:

The joy of being the outsider

Hunger

Tears

Change

Ghosts

The aim was to be as real as people felt able to be, rather than a stand-up performance or a presentation with power-points and bullet-points. Everyone was welcomed and appreciated just as they were, whether this was unpolished, unrehearsed and maybe a little nervous or full of energy and confidence in what they want to say.  Feedback included:

"Every session has had moments that triggered reflection."  

"A powerful way to connect with myself and others!"

"I loved having the opportunity not just to speak but to be heard and responded to."

"Really uplifting.  It was great how anyone can come no pressure to say anything. "

"So refreshing hearing people's stories and seeing that they felt it was a safe space to share these."