About
Within Without is a nonprofit working at the intersection of creativity and mental health. Founded in 2020 by Iona Singleton, we publish poetry, creative nonfiction, fiction, and photography, and provide holistic 1:1 support for creative practitioners.
Iona Singleton has spent a decade working in the music industry with a strong focus on the well-being of creative practitioners, she has seen first-hand the transformative power of mental health interventions. Iona toured internationally with the music group King Crimson, working worldwide with institutions such as The Royal Albert Hall, London, Teatro Grande, Pompei, and Radio City Music Hall, New York, which highlighted the transformational and healing power of the arts. As a consultant for the nonprofit sector, she uses music to leverage conversations around mental health issues and uses creative play and practices to help vulnerable populations cope with trauma. Her writings have appeared in The Guardian, and The Poetry Book Society.
Volume 01
A story about life. And death.
A friendship. And music.
“I met Iona by chance, on a very hot and misty July day, quite far from my hometown. Or, destiny had decided for me that it was just the right moment in my life-journey that I met Iona. She has taught me to look within myself during a profound psychological challenge and a “once-in-a-lifetime” purposeful transformation. From this experience, I have gained a sense of personal power over my life and myself that I have never known before. Now I carry the medals of my weaknesses with my head held high. And I feel strong. Meditation, breathing, yoga, herbal infusions are never enough, even if mixed together. On top of it, you need to ask the right questions. Iona taught me to ask the right questions to myself. Forever grateful for this. Let’s keep in touch!”
Creative Support Testimonies
“The Within Without approach is, as its name suggests, one which focuses firstly on the internal in an effort to reap external rewards. In my case, this has meant much gentle probing and a LOT of talking with Iona to see just where I wanted to focus my creative energies - and that talking has not just been about the creative side of things, but about life in general too. That holistic approach makes sense, of course, if one sees one’s creative instincts as being closely tied in with all the rest of the ‘stuff’ which surrounds us and feeds into our experiences every day. As a result of this very gentle and patient approach from Iona, I’ve slowly closed in on what I feel I want to do and what I want to achieve. It’s most definitely a gradual process and it comes with surprises, but I’ve felt in very ‘safe’ hands throughout and Iona has helped me to make some sort of sense of that nagging, gnawing feeling that has taken me from wanting to create SOMETHING, but not being quite sure WHAT, to actually getting under way and starting that process of creation. It’s an ongoing thing, but I’ve got a lot out of it so far and hope and believe there’s much more still to come!”
“My gratitude without limits is for you, if it had not been for you and your great heart, we would not have been able to attend to see you, or learn from you. Believe us that our gratitude is eternal. Iona, I am sincerely excited to give you my thanks, you are a great woman and an exceptional human”
“I reached out for guidance for help on a creative pursuit but hadn’t realised how much of my life would transform as a result. I cannot thank you enough.”
“I wanted to extend my sincerest thanks to you, it’s been a dream come true. The grace and care you extended to us was exceptional”