The Emotional Baggage Handling Service was established in 2003 by Barley Massey and Belle Tidswell as an alternative counselling unit and interactive hospitality area where people can explore their thoughts, feelings and emotions and where we could assist them to reflect upon their lives in a fun and thought provoking manner.

Emotional Baggage have taken the popular Check In Booth to numerous events including The Art Car Boot Fair, Glastonbury Festival, The Hidden Art Annual Forum and The Secret Garden Party .  People find the Boothe very approachable, comforting and amusing.  We have successfuly received, held and destroyed (after 28 days) lots of emotional baggage, and we have had good feedback from many participants.

We have also delivered tailored workshops and activities to a variety of groups, organisations and individuals in art and textile therapies, games, debates and relaxation.

In 2007 we were awarded an Untld Award enabling us to develop and produce a 'Emotional Baggage DIY Kit' and a game 'Controversial Debates' as well as purchase a small marquee for outdoor events.

Meet the E- motional Baggage Handlers:

Barley

Barley is a freelance textile designer maker specialising in eco-design. In 2000 she established her studio and shop 'Fabrications' in Broadway Market, East London. She offers a wide range of products and services including interior furnishings, bespoke commissions, consultancy and workshops all of which aim to be thought provoking, innovative and explore social or environmental concerns. For more information visit her website.

Belle

For the last 10 years Belle has worked and trained in health, social care, counselling and education. This has given her a wide range of skills and knowledge that can be used throughout all aspects of Emotional Baggage. She currently works in  the Community Development and Education arena and applies her ethos of social capital, sustainability, health and well-being into her projects. belle@e-motionalbaggage.co.uk

Siany:

Sian is a freelance writer based in London. She stumbled across the Emotional Baggage stall at the Secret Garden Party in 2008. She is editor of the London blog Poppycockney. 

You can check out her personal blog here, and read her other stuff at LeCool, Qype, Shiny Media and The Hospital Club. If you'd like her to write something for you, she'd like that a lot and responds well to offers of tea and cake. You can email her here.