Festival of Hobbies - Rosie and philosophy
Hi Rosie, please tell us a little about you and what you do outside of your hobby.
My name is Rosie Carnall. I’m a freelance facilitator and trainer with special interests in creative writing and conflict resolution. At the moment I’ve got a temporary job as CEO (maternity) with Ignite Imaginations. We do participatory arts in Sheffield and South Yorkshire – which is about getting people and communities involved in doing creative arts activities. Creativity and community are both very important to me in my work and hobbies.
What’s your hobby? And how did you get into it?
As a hobby I set up and run the Sheffield Philosophy in Pubs (PiP) group. We use the Philosophy for Communities (P4C) method for philosophical enquiry. That sounds a bit grand but really it’s very down to earth and straightforward. It’s a way of a group philosophising together – which just means thinking about big ideas. P4C can also mean Philosophy for Children – which is basically the same method only with younger people!
I found out about P4C when my son took part in an enquiry at a youth group. I’ve facilitating groups since I was a teenager and this was a new and interesting way to get people talking. Since then I’ve trained in the method and run enquiries in lots of different settings.
I set up the group because I’d heard of Philosophy in Pubs and thought ‘I wish there was one in Sheffield, I’d like to go to that.’. After a couple of years of wishing I realised that perhaps it was me that needed to set it going…
What is it that you love about your hobby?
The way the P4C method works is that you start with a stimulus – usually a story or a short film or a picture – to provoke ideas and then the group comes up with a question they want to discuss. So the main thing I love is that although it’s me that brings the stimulus I never know quite what’s going to happen or what the question will be – it’s always a new adventure and I like getting to hear different points of view. Another part of the process is that it’s quite playful and fun – playing different thinking games to get minds limbered up and thinking creatively. I enjoy that. And I love that people come to join in with something that I really enjoy doing. It’s a kind of community thing, which I like.
Why do you think your hobby is so important to you - what does it bring you?
I just really enjoy getting groups of people talking. I’m interested in talking about big ideas and important questions and in hearing lots of different points of view, so I like that this is an open group and includes a wider circle of people who I don’t know. Even though facilitating conversations is also part of what my work is, it’s important for me to have this creative space where it’s just for fun. It’s an evening of the month that I really look forward to and I usually come away with something new to think about – a different perspective or an interesting idea.
Do you think it’s important for people to have hobbies?
I do! I have other hobbies as well – modern jive dancing and sewing are two – and I think they help bring me into a different headspace. Sometimes I can get bogged down in things I should do and I love the feeling of turning to something I do just for the love of it.
Do you think there's a link between people's mental wellbeing and having hobbies?
See answer above! I think a hobby is doing something just for the love of it and that’s an important part of being human. I think it helps us to find balance and that’s an important part of mental well-being. Also, hobbies are often creative in some way and there’s research to show that creative practice is definitely good for our mental well-being.
What advice would you give to someone who is looking to pick up a new hobby? This can be both specific to your hobby, or just a hobby in general!
Well, if you’re interested in having a philosophical discussion you could come to the Sheffield Philosophy in Pubs group. And in general I think it’s good to find a group for the thing you’re interested in. Meeting people with similar interests can help you to learn more and have the space to take your hobby further.
How can people get involved with your hobby?
You can find out more about the P4C method on these websites: https://www.philosophyinpubs.co.uk/ or https://www.sapere.org.uk/ To see what I’m up to and for updates on groups you can follow me on Twitter @rosiecarnall or Facebook www.facebook.com/sheffieldpip
What’s next for you and your hobby?
I just hope people keep coming to the group and join in with the discussions.
If you could try a hobby you’ve always wanted to, but never had the chance, what would you try?
Synchronised swimming or millinery!