Aimed at wakening the ‘writing voice’ using imagination freely, accessing all the senses, with the use of exercises, writing prompts and props.
We will discuss the benefits of the different genres of creative writing on mental health and wellbeing.
Work started in the group sessions may be finished at home later. There will be prompt sheets available in the course prior to sessions.
Live Zoom sessions Thurs, 10am-11:30am GMT, 22/4, 29/4, 6/5, 13/5, 20/5
Have always wanted to write and have never quite found the motivation or inspiration?
Writing can build confidence and a sense of wellbeing, a sense of achievement and empowerment in hearing your work shared amongst a supportive group of people. Discussions using prompts and sharing ideas for writing can be uplifting and fun and is of great benefit to our wellbeing.
Open to everyone
Live Zoom sessions coming after Easter
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Free
Funded course
Your course facilitator

Christine Lawrence
I have experience in running creative writing workshops in the following areas:
Phoenix House (Alpha) - working with clients who were in residential rehabilitation from drugs and alcohol. Working with clients with enduring mental illness in low secure unit.
The Mental Health Co-operative Portsmouth - a drop-in facility. “Start Writing, Keep Writing” “Your Voice Matters” workshop targeting women in Portsmouth. A free workshop held in the Labour Party office in Albert Road. Portsmouth Central Library, The Carnegie Library, North End Library - reaching out to areas of Portsmouth which are under-resourced for Portsmouth Short Story Writing Competition. Creative Writing @ 101 Gosport Road, working with residents and street homeless clients.
Mind Matters workshop to enable participants to write positive stories and poems with the theme Mental Health. Produced an event at the Great Barn Titchfield for “Mind Matters”, where the best of the writings were performed to an audience and participants were publicly awarded for their work. Founder member of T’Articulation which is a spoken word group. Encourages writers to perform their work in various locations including cafes, libraries and theatres across the community. Director of the Portsmouth Writers Hub.
Contributor to Portsmouth’s Star and Crescent online magazine. My work: I have two novels to my name - Caught in the Web and Payback, as well as two books of short stories: Moments of Darkness and More Moments of Darkness. My third novel, Don’t Step on the Cracks will be published in 2021. I also enjoy playwriting, acting, directing and helping in the wardrobe at Titchfield Festival Theatre. Novels and books are available on Amazon or direct from me at reduced cost. I am on the organising committee of the DDay Revival at Southwick, helping to recruit volunteers for the annual event.

Mental Wealth Academy
The Good Mental Health Cooperative
Funded by

Awards for All National Lottery