Leaving the Poet at the Door

Shaniece Martin reflects on her recent Hatching Residency at The Nest

When I arrived at The Nest, I think I left ‘poet’ outside the studio door. Not intentionally at first. More as a quiet instinct, a need to enter the space without already knowing what I was supposed to create, or who I was supposed to be within it.

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Space and percolation

Joanna Litten reflects on her recent Hatching Residency at The Nest.

‘Get that application in!’ My friend Natalie told me. I told her I didn’t have time, discounting myself.


I’m not scared of rejection. I am afraid to fail.


But she was right. What’s the harm in putting myself out there?

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Six Days at The Nest: Resilient Stitch, Rest, and Reconnection

Julie Joannides reflects on her recent Hatching Residency at The Nest

At the end of February 2026 I was about to start my Nest residency I had such mixed feelings of excitement and nervousness with the dreaded imposter creeping in. I submitted an application in the Autumn supported by Charlie in one of her surgeries where I offloaded my head full of a myriad of ideas that I wanted to explore. I was excited and nervous and wanted to make the most of the experience ahead. 

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Finding Wilderness and Kin

My first garden in Amsterdam is the one outside my hotel window.

I’m on the third floor and there is the crown of a mature birch tree at the centre of my view: dark, delicate arches of witches-broom twigs with small golden yellow leaves back-lit by pinky morning sun. There’s a wren – that I can’t see – singing its heart out and, every so often, a trio of squawking green necked parakeets sail over.

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