Reflections on Creative Pathways – 28th to 29th August 2025

As I enter the final straights of PhD thesis writing, and at the cusp of one year on since the inauguration of The Rosie Jones Foundation , it was a joy to be a part of Creative Pathways last week.

This two-day event, headed by Stella Howard from 'Embrace Space Arts and Wellbeing', brought together young people with Cerebral Palsy (CP) and their parents, to map out pathways to creative careers. Workshops, led by industry professionals with CP, ranged from film-making to creative writing, and planning for university. Outputs included mini-films, poems, and much more. Everything was threaded together with lived-experience camaraderie and peppered with a comedy angle inspired by Rosie Jones of course.

Aside from formal sessions the gathering meant an opportunity for making friends in a safe space, where people felt confident to share some of the coping strategies they use to support their mental health and face up to tenacious stigma. These ranged from gardening to taking part in amateur dramatics.

It was amazing to learn from this group of experts, and motivating to feel a part of a positive and optimistic momentum for the future. I can’t wait to share my PhD results sometime soon, which speak to many of these findings …