Who are you and what do you do?
We are Sherise and Aisleen, we co-founded and run Luna Haven a creative wellbeing group for women and the LGBTQIA community. We started the group back in September 2024 after being connected by our Suffolk Mind counselor, who knew that we both had ambition to build a safe space, non judgemental environment for women and LBGTQIA+ folk to come along and build a sense of community through wellbeing and creativity.
How did you get into this field of work?
We were connected through Suffolk mind after finishing their group therapy in separate groups by a worker who knew we had the same aspirations to run a community project with an emphasis on safe space and connection. We both have a varied experience within mental health and well-being, both in work and life.
What is Luna Haven and why did you create this service?
We set up Luna haven as creative wellbeing space, we offer free workshops and social sessions for women and LGBTQAI+ folks to access when they wish, with no obligation to always attend or to even stay for the whole session, we wanted to offer a people centered, inclusive and flexible space, to allow people to just be themselves, to share and learn and connect with like minded people. We also enjoy collaborating with other local service providers to bring awareness of what’s available within the local community.
What does Luna Haven offer and who is it for?
Luna Haven offers free monthly sessions, held the last Friday of each month, 10am-1pm at the New Wolsey Theatre, upstairs near the balcony, this space is open, light and accessible. Our sessions will always have a creative task on offer but again this is optional some people might just want to come for the social element. Some of our creative tasks have included mini zine making, tote bag printing, door mat painting and creative journalling. We also organise Park Life/ ‘The Craft’ Circle social meets. Park life is a wellbeing walk in Christchurch park, feeding ducks and squirrels, enjoying nature and fresh air, perfect for those who enjoy doing so but may have anxiety doing these things alone, this is on the 3rd Saturday of each month, 1-3pm. In the colder, wetter months September to March we have converted these to ‘The Craft’ Circle, which is the same day and time each month, at the New Wolsey, where people can bring their own craft projects, knitting, drawing or crocheting in a chilled social environment.
What are your biggest challenges running this service?
Spreading the awareness that we exist and what we do, we are not yet set up as a cic and therefore fund everything ourselves, which limits certain things, like printing flyers and information for services to display. Funding is an issue but we are on our way to set up becoming a CIC that will allow us to apply for funding.
What are the common misconceptions you’ve encountered around the service you provide?
In our growth in the last year we have had to adapt some of our language and promotion wording to try make sure people understand we are wellbeing based space and not a therapeutic service, but we do have a list of other services to offer people who maybe do need a service for support opposed to a social community setting.
What wins have you had as an organisation?
It makes us happy when people return to our events, whilst we want it to be an open ended service with no commitment to return, it’s always a win to see familiar faces, to re connect with them even if they have not come every time, just to know they feel safe to return and engage with us and the other people who attend. It feels great to know we hit our goal of creating a regular, safe and accessible space for people to come along to.
What has running Luna haven taught you about yourself?
Aisleen: Running Luna Haven has taught me that even when I doubt myself, I can still make a real difference. It’s shown me that empathy is a strength, not a weakness, and that sharing vulnerability can be one of the most empowering things we do, for ourselves and others.
Sherise: Setting up and Running Luna Haven has taught me that I care about community and safe spaces, through networking, learning that Ipswich did have a need for an inclusive laid back space just to be, I’ve learnt to be more present myself and that experience shared in a healthy way really does connect people.
What is a mantra you both live by?
Aisleen: You are allowed to take up space and heal at your own pace.
Sherise: My mantra is pay it forward, be good, do good and feel good, be authentic.
How can people get involved or Luna Haven?
To get involved and come along just sign up for the Friday session at Ko-Fi.com/lunahaven, we also post our updates, information for each session creative tasks and collaborations on Ko-afi too. People can also follow our socials to keep up to date with what’s going on, what we’re organising and we like to share other organisations events so people know what is going on locally.
How can people get in touch with you?
People can follow us on Instagram @lunahaven2024, TikTok Luna.Haven8, Ko-Fi is the sign up service we use which is only needed for the monthly Friday sessions, Ko-Fi.con/lunahaven and we also are contactable through email, lunacommunity1@gmail.com.
Is there anything you would like to add?
We have been very fortunate to have local artist Emma do gelli printing with us, the Iris Team come and tell us what they are all about and do mini zine making and this month we have Santana from Warrior Movement QiGong coming to give us a guided mindful movement session which is an accessible practice, followed by spooky crafting. We believe in community awareness and sharing what other local services are available in and around Ipswich to help people feel inclusion and support.
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