These workshops will take place on Zoom. A link will be sent to you in advance of each workshop. Each workshop will include time away from the screen for writing as well as time on screen for discussion and sharing so that this won’t feel like work! We will use breakout rooms to enable us to connect with each other in small groups.

You will need access to a computer or laptop with an internet connection, camera and microphone. A wired ethernet connection will work better than Wi-Fi.

If you are new to Zoom, I will send you written guidance on how to use Zoom and the functions within it such as chat and breakout rooms.

Workshop Dates:

Friday, 21st March 2025, 2pm-4pm

Friday, 2nd May 2025, 2pm-4pm

Friday, 30th May 2025, 2pm-4pm

Friday, 27th June 2025, 2pm-4pm

Ideally, yes. This is a four-workshop programme. If you do have to miss one, I will send you all the materials and writing prompts for that workshop. But the workshops will not be recorded, so there is no replay.

Yes, it is important to attend a workshop from start to finish. This is because each workshop has been designed as a safe container for writing and expression, with an opening activity designed to lead us safely into writing and sharing and closing activity to guide us gently back to closure and ending. If you are late, or miss some of the session, it may affect the experience for others.

If you know you are going to be late, please let me know in advance so that I can notify other members of the group.

No, there will not be any recordings made of the workshops. This is so that we can create a space that feels open, safe and trusting.

It is entirely up to you how much extra time you set aside for writing outside of the 2 hours a month for the workshops themselves. There will be an encouragement for you to commit some regular time for writing if you wish, but this can be as little as 5 minutes a day – you will discover that writing in very short amounts of time can be as productive as longer stints.

There is no homework and nothing you have to do between sessions. However, you will be sent weekly writing prompts by email as an encouragement to develop a regular journal practice if you wish.

No, you don’t need anything other than a pen and paper! However, I recommend you find a journal and pen that you really enjoy using. I will share my own personal recommendations for journals and pens ahead of the course.

You will receive an Introduction to Journaling Handout and resources appropriate to each workshop, as well as links to any poems or resources we use. But there is no requirement to read anything in advance of the workshops.

No, your journal is private and the writing encouraged through this course is for your own benefit rather than for publication or critique.

This is not a therapy or counselling group. I am trained to master’s degree level in therapeutic writing, but I am not a qualified counsellor or therapist. The writing exercises are carefully structured to ensure that you keep yourself safe from undue distress or harm during the programme, and everyone will be encouraged and guided to look after themselves as part of the work. However, if your writing triggers or uncovers material which is distressing, I will stay behind at the end of a session to check in with you and make sure that you have somewhere or someone to turn to for further help and support. There is a handout available on further resources and sources of support, including action and helplines, counselling directories and voluntary sector organizations providing counselling support and guidance around specific issues.

Voxer is an easy-to-use walkie talkie app that lets us share private group messages. I will set up and invite you to join a private group on Voxer, which will enable us to ask questions, share words and touch base with each other between workshops. Item description

This four month programme, including four live workshops and handouts, as well as weekly prompts and voxer support, costs £160. This can be paid in three instalments over three months if helpful.

If, for any reason, you are unable to attend, I will offer a full refund up to two full weeks before the start date of the programme. I do not offer refunds after the programme has started, or for specific workshops within the programme.

If I cancel the programme for any reason, I will refund any fees in full.

If I have to cancel any of the four individual workshops for any reason, I will offer alternative dates. If you are unable to attend on these dates, I will refund 25% of your fees paid.

By booking, you agree that we may collect and store personal information about you and your interactions with us for the purposes of running these workshops. This includes: your personal contact details; gender; details of your booking and booking history, including any access needs you have told us about; records of payments (not including credit/debit cards numbers, etc.); any correspondence and any other information we need to keep in order to administer your booking. All personal information is kept securely. We will use this information to communicate with you about your booking and we may, unless you tell us otherwise, communicate with you occasionally about our work and other courses and support that we offer. We never share or sell information about our course participants with any third party, either in aggregate or in individual form.