Roots of Return: The Road to Recovery
FIONA MCGARRY
I took my own relatively good health for granted for many years, so recent health issues came as a shock and made me question my priorities and re-think many aspects of my life. The loss of my ‘wellness’ felt almost like a bereavement. The saddest part for me has been the sense of isolation and hopelessness at times, especially when the main advice I received from my GP was to take a higher dose of painkillers.
In HIP Issue 257 there was an article from WOH! which looked at women’s health and how we can support people in need without going down the pathologising route of medication. It stressed that a key part of us trying to empower ourselves and reconnect with our bodies is by connecting with others and working together.
One local group that several people have recommended to me is Roots of Return, founded by Seraphina and Dan Bianconi in March 2023. Seraphina is a qualified Psychosynthesis coach and has a background as a mindfulness and yoga teacher. Dan has spent the past four years supporting individuals with learning difficulties at Friary Gardeners, a branch of the Parchment Trust charity.
When I spoke to Seraphina, she underlined my sense of how illness is addressed in our culture: “We are uncomfortable talking about illness and loss and become easily isolated,” she says. “Traditional therapeutic paradigms and ways of seeking help don’t always serve their purpose.”
Rather than perpetuating the idea that we are somehow ‘broken’ and need to be ‘fixed’, she feels it’s important to invert this idea and look for the health in our situation. She stresses that “in a healthy ecosystem, everyone can experience belonging,” and this leads to a thriving community.
The aim of Roots of Return is to build community and provide safe spaces for people to heal, grow and flourish – helping people to lead their best lives as they develop a sense of belonging. They use research-based tools such as mindfulness and nervous system education together, and also traditional practices such as drumming and singing circles to build belonging and enhance mental, physical and emotional wellbeing.
Seraphina speaks of ‘return pathways’ – the idea that the foundation of healthy cultures is dependent on healthy social architecture. This entails social structures built into the fabric of the culture that help us to return to, maintain and enhance health and wellbeing.
“They are ways in which someone experiencing distress is supported by the community so that they are not left feeling isolated and unable to move beyond [the challenges they face]. Today’s culture has forgotten these pathways, and part of our purpose is to support individuals and communities in remembering.”
In other words, we need to return to what is so often lacking in today’s world: inclusive community, appropriate ritual and ceremony and ways of marking rites of passage.
Seraphina and Dan organise special events like a beach celebration of the Summer solstice but chose to set up weekly groups as their main focus. These have the sense of a rhythm “like a community heartbeat – somewhere to come and be welcomed once a week”.
On Wednesday evenings, there is the Women’s Wellbeing Circle in Alexandra Park. It alternates between a week of activities where participants present or try out new skills; they might also sing communal songs. The other week is a sharing circle where women talk and witness: sharing their achievements and problems. Seraphina refers to the “alchemy of the circle” and how it empowers people.
On Tuesdays (2.00-3.30pm) there is also a women’s wellbeing yoga class at the Humble Hub that provides space to rest and explore gently.
Dan runs a men’s workshop at Afri-co lab on Wednesday evening (7.00-9.00pm). This group uses music as a way for men to connect and express themselves. He’s also planning a day retreat in Guestling Woods on 1 September.
Another venture that involves music is the Saturday Drumming Circle. Depending on the weather, this takes place at the beach or the Clifton Centre and is open to all ages and genders.
Find out more about the weekly activities and events at rootsofreturn.org/whatson. All events and classes are donation only.
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