I am the sister who like a phoenix rising from the ashes reborn, is soaring, ever seeking new experiences, rebuilding her life anew

I am the sister tired of fighting a patrician war, tired of fighting the body epidemic, the tide and slurs cast upon me, and other women.

I am comfortable in my own skin, my anger, my wholeness, my body.

I am the sister who wants to make her voice and her words heard.

I am the sister who wants to stop being afraid to write in case it is wrong.

I am the sister who sleeps peacefully, knowing she has done her best, no longer bothered and burdened by the chains of unworthiness.

I am the sister I can be,

Not yet the sister I want to be.

Not yet the one I could be, should be, will be.

But I am happy to be a sister to you!

(Esther Bonner, article cited in Thriving women [Thrive Teesside, 2019])

‘I thoroughly enjoyed the Thrive book process, and meeting the other contributors. The launch event was wonderful, so welcoming and emotional. It really brought the community together and offered important insight into the experience and lives of our town.

I got to see how much it meant to others to have their own words in print, and the confidence this gave them, which was a really wonderful experience.

Covid has been rough, and my online creative communities are a huge part of what has kept me going.’ (Sarah Crutwell, Tees Women Poets and contributor to Thriving women [Thrive Teesside, 2019])