2021 - ongoing

(Formerly Women’s Group) Women’s Space is a weekly / biweekly engagement for women living in an AZC (asielzoekerscentrum / asylum seekers centre) in a Northern Netherlands location.

This is a private, adult-only moment for residents of the AZC, held and organised by Katie, now featuring a growing programme of self-facilitation hosted by the womens’ unique and various skills and knowledge.

The space is intended to offer enough time for deep participation when needed, enough autonomy and comfort for opt-in and opt-out moments, and is specifically designed so that women can choose with agency how long they wish to stay and what they need or want on the day itself.

A typical day starts with a twenty minute warm-up walk just outside the perimeter of the AZC grounds (to chat with another, have some fresh air in silence, or share an accountable moment for a self-check); followed by tea / coffee / snacks, hugs, catch-ups and lively chats; a somatic exercise such as guided intentions, gentle body activation or short sleep sessions; an activated workshop or semi-facilitated activity such as alternative baking or bread-making; collective re-organising and planning; and a shared wind-down lunch. Couches and cosy spots are available to take ownership of one’s time and chill if preferred over the day’s activities.

The room is open for on average four hours per session and follows a flow of varied access points and types of energy, and is bound by intentions of regeneration, reflection, connection and decompression. Regulating the central nervous system is a core aim of the group, where all emotions are welcome and to be dealt with in a suitable way, from more in-depth sharing circles to simple acknowledgement / being seen. Participants usually describe the sessions as their weekly date with themselves.

Women’s Space is an autonomous space in collaboration with COA.