Kintsugi, Community, and Courage in Hastings

Hastings Voluntary Action, Jackson Hall

Yesterday we travelled to Hastings to deliver a Modern Kintsugi session for the Macmillan Cancer Support Champions, a programme hosted by Hastings Voluntary Action and funded by Macmillan. It supports people affected by cancer by helping them connect with local services and with one another. Being invited into this work meant a great deal to us.

Cancer has touched my own family, as it has so many others. It leaves a mark that is hard to describe, but it creates a quiet understanding between people who have lived through something similar. That feeling was present in the room from the moment the session began.

The Spirit of Kintsugi

We guided the group through repairing broken ceramics with gold, following the philosophy of Kintsugi: accepting change, honouring what has been through difficulty, and choosing to see beauty in what remains. As the work unfolded, something deeper happened. We took it a step further and encouraged everyone to place part of themselves — their story, their wishes, their memories — into the piece they were repairing.

More than a bowl

By the end, the Champions had created what many began calling Soul Bowls, Gratitude Bowls, or Wish Bowls. Each one carried its maker’s marks:

"a crack that once felt sad now mended with gold, a reminder that pain does not erase value."

These bowls became more than objects. They became symbols of strength, hope, and quiet transformation.

A Room Alive with Warmth

The atmosphere in Jackson Hall was vibrant and full of life. Laughter echoed through the air, and the sense of community was strong. It felt like a celebration not only of the event itself, but of the connections we share with one another.

Each person carried their own story of hardship and triumph, yet together they created a tapestry of resilience. Instead of hiding scars, we celebrated them as integral parts of our journeys — reminders that we are not defined by struggle, but by how we rise above it.

Continuing the Journey

Kintsugi does not promise that things will return to the way they were. Instead, it shows that we can continue — changed, sometimes shaken, but still whole. We come out stronger not by forgetting what happened, but by acknowledging it and choosing to build something meaningful from it.

We left Hastings feeling grateful for the honesty, openness, and calm determination in the room. It was a privilege to be part of this project, and we look forward to supporting the Cancer Champions again.

Thank you all!