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About
The Motherline Project was a year-long creative exploration of women’s stories, ancestry, identity and connection. Led by Alice Robinson of Performers Playground and Mothers Who Make as well as Jolene Sheehan of Joy Ethic, it brought together a diverse group of women to share writing, art, movement, music and personal reflection, shaping a collective story rooted in care and curiosity.
The project has grown through monthly gatherings, deep listening and creative experiments led by talented practioners. All of this culminating in a celebration at The Arches at HOME Manchester on December 13th 2025. It is a space where heritage meets imagination and where every woman’s voice adds something vital.
This website is a record of our project—a place we documented, reflected, and created together about our experience of the Motherline Intergenerational Circle. Here, you’ll find blog entries capturing the experience, photos, and creative contributions and reflections from the group.
This website was shaped by all of us. Whether through writing a blog post, contributing art, photography, recordings, or reflections, this space holds what emerged over our year together; a platform to explore and build ideas, collaborate, and see where the process took us. We hope you enjoy reading what that ended up looking like. To hear the story of our project in retrospective, listen to our podcast via the Joy Ethic Show Motherline Special shown.
Our Shared Vision for the Project
Our Shared Vision for the Project
We’re creating a space where we can be ourselves—where we don’t have to perform or prove anything. We show up as we are.
We are building this together, and it’s okay that we’re all arriving in different ways on different days. Sometimes we may feel excited, sometimes a bit nervous or unsure, and a whole range of things in between and beyond. That’s all welcome here.
We give ourselves permission to take part in the way that feels right. That might mean sharing something, or it might mean just listening. There’s no pressure either way. We know it’s okay to take a moment to speak out or to step into silence if we need it.
We take responsibility for looking after ourselves—drawing inward to reflect on what we need, doing that when we can, or asking for what we need if that helps.
We know what it feels like to want to speak and want to stay quiet. There’s space for both. We recognise that inner critics can show up too—we’re trying not to let them take the lead.
We try to notice what’s going on in ourselves—what we need, what feels possible—and take care of that. Sometimes that’s moving our bodies, having a drink, or finding a quiet moment. Sometimes it’s speaking up.
We agree to be kind, open, and respectful, even when we don’t all see things the same way. We agree that this is a confidential space where we look after each other’s stories.
We value connection, creativity, care, and laughter. We want to get to know each other better, learn from each other, and build trust over time. We enjoy connecting in smaller groups and sharing simple things—like food, ideas, or a light-hearted moment.
We’re gathering fragments, sketches, and sparks. Some might grow into something. Some might not. That’s okay.
We’re also giving ourselves permission to grow. That might look like trying something new, expressing ourselves in a different way, or just noticing that we’re part of something with others.
We’re working towards a space that feels warm, open, and welcoming—where we can have fun, make things, share ideas, and laugh when it feels good to do so.
We’ll keep checking in as we go, and we can change or add to this vision whenever we need to.
This was written by combining the input of the whole group.
This was written by combining the input of the whole group.
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