Write to Work presents The Writers Blo...

Free creative writing workshops

Are you looking for new opportunities for 2024? Interested in joining a creative community where you can further your skills as a writer, develop your confidence, and have your stories heard?

Then a FREE one-day ‘Writer’s Bloc’ event could be perfect for you. Attend in person or take part via Zoom!

No writing experience necessary, a chance to work with professional writers, and everyone who attends will be able to submit their work for publication in a printed anthology available to buy online and in bookshops across the city.

Their next Writer’s Bloc events will be taking place at:

Toxteth Library – 10 January 2024
Spellow Library, Walton – 6 February 2024

Spaces are offered on a first come, first served basis. Apply today!

Applicant MUST read full Eligibility below before applying.
– 18+
– You must be economically inactive – (Not employed/self-employed, not actively looking for work, not waiting to start a job, not in full-time education (part time over 19+yrs is fine))
-Living in Liverpool City Region including the parts of the Wirral listed as Merseyside, Liverpool, Sefton, Halton, St Helens, Knowsley
-You must have the legal right to live and work in the UK
-You cannot have already completed any Write to Work Course or mentoring previously.

Write to Work is funded by Liverpool City Council and the UK Prosperity Fund

Scribble and splash – Little Liv...

Get creative with this art activity especially designed for their youngest visitors, and then explore Little Liverpool gallery. Sail boats, fish in their mini ‘river’, then explore their alphabet wall before dancing with the Beetles.

Little Liverpool special sessions have a limited number of tickets available so they recommend that you book in advance. Tickets cost £2 per child with a maximum of two accompanying adults and can be booked above.

Scribble and splash takes place on Friday afternoons at 2.15pm and Saturday mornings at 11.15am.

Introduction to the Darkroom

This one day workshop is designed for anyone who has taken images using a film camera and wishes to print their own photographs in a darkroom. Suitable for complete beginners who are new to photo making.

Programme

In a small group, you will be taken through each basic component and process of using darkroom equipment, culminating in creating your very own black and white photographs from your own negatives, using Ilford chemicals and photographic paper provided by the tutor.

In one day you will cover:

  • Introduction to the room and materials & health & safety
  • Different kinds of format
  • Setting up the enlarger
  • Making a contact print
  • Making a test strip
  • Creating the first print
  • Using filters
  • Dodging & Burning
  • Creating your final prints
  • Summary

Tutor: Rachel Brewster Wright

Founder of Little Vintage Photography, Rachel has taught the magic and fun of traditional analogue photography techniques since 2014. She use vintage and toy cameras, runs workshops and photowalks.

Rachel has exhibited much of her work and in January 2019 was nominated for an RPS #HundredHeroines award and won Top 10 in the International Wedding Photographer of the Year Awards (film photography category). In March 2019 she delivered pop-up demonstrations & presentations at The Photography Show at the NEC as part of the #WomenWhoPhoto initiative.

Materials

You will need to bring ready-processed black & white 35mm negatives, already cut up into strips in a negative file/sleeve to work/print from in the darkroom.

All other chemicals and papers will be provided on the day.

Notes

There are a maximum of 3 places available on each session, so early booking is essential.

***To avoid a booking fee and pay by card, cheque or cash, please contact dot-art Services directly on 0345 017 6660***

Drawing Techniques: Taster Session

Enjoy a taster session of our Drawing Technique course. An introduction to the basics of what the 10 week course will cover if you join.

Programme

dot-art runs a 10 Week Drawing Techniques course, and now for the first time ever we are offering a 1 hour taster session so you can get to know the tutor, course content and get a feel for the course. If you enjoy this taster session we would encourage you to further your study of Drawing Techniques on the 10 week course at Bold Place.

Tutor: Sarah Jane Richards

Sarah Jane is an experienced tutor and artist, who has taught drawing to children and adults for many years.

***To avoid a booking fee and pay by card, cheque or cash, please contact dot-art Services directly on 0345 017 6660***

How to Paint a Mural

Artists! Expand your practice into large-scale murals. Learn from artist Madeleine Pires, creator of the Flower Street Murals in Kirkdale.

Programme

This one-day session is packed with valuable artistic knowledge and technical insights such as:

· Analysing your wall, measuring and planning

· Using photography and Photoshop to experiment with colours and produce visual references

· Breaking down your vision into realistic stages (form, negative space, colour, detail)

· Types of paint and varnish (with physical examples)

· Ways of scaling up your design (with visual examples and demonstration)

Madeleine will also give useful advice and tips about leading a community project, including:

· How to put together a school workshop to transfer to the mural

· “Consulting” local people and involving them

· Working with children and letting them be involved but safe

· Building your team and delegating tasks to volunteers

Other practical points:

· Operating powered access machines: what to expect

· Building a security area around your working space

· Organising your equipment/paints/tools

There will be time for participants to respond, ask questions and network.

Please note: this session is for experienced artists who already have good drawing and painting skills, and who do not have a problem with working at height.

Materials

The essential materials to bring include:

pencils and paper for notes

Notes

There are a maximum of 8 places available on the course, so early booking is essential. To avoid a booking fee and pay by card, cheque or cash, please contact dot-art Services directly on 0345 017 6660.

We have introduced a range of safety measures to keep everyone as safe and comfortable as possible. We ask everyone to please respect social distancing guidelines, all staff will be keeping their distance too.

Accessible toilets are available.

Hip Hop Workshops

Taster workshops with Liverpool Hip Hop Festival at FireFit Youth and Community Hub

Join Nikki Blaze and Tony Broke plus special guests for a series of taster sessions with beatboxers, MCs, break dancers and graffiti artists. The sessions will be celebrating 50 years of hip hop and are open to young people aged 11-18.

If you’re coming along, email us to let them know at edgehill@metalculture.com

Event

Supported by Liverpool City Council and Culture Liverpool’s Creative Neighbourhoods Programme.

No laughing matter!

For too long boys and men have been told to hide their emotions or that it is a weakness to show them. Today one in eight men live with a common mental health issue but only a third of all referrals to mental health specialists are for men. A huge number suffer in silence.

They are really pleased to help shine a light on male mental health and to partner with Sean’s Place, an amazing charity who work across Liverpool and Sefton to improve men’s mental health and wellbeing.

In this event we will hear from some of the men who have accessed Sean’s place, learn more about their stories, and help lift the stigma on men’s mental health and wellbeing. They will celebrate their individual and unique journeys and think about what needs to happen to create a world where we can discuss men’s mental health in a safe, proactive, and non-judgemental way.

For the love of art with splatter and ...

Splatter and stick offers an inclusive environment with the aim to develop a child’s self confidence, natural exploration skills, hand eye co-ordination and manual dexterity, through the exploration of arts and crafts with sensory play.

They aim to create a fun and creative environment that supports families with children who may need additional support.

Tickets cost £2 per child and booking in advance is essential. Tickets will be released 2 weeks before the session each month and can be booked below.

Helen is very happy to answer any questions or concerns prior to your visit and work with you to find the best way to support your family. You can contact her through the splatter and stick Facebook page to find out more

Activities take place once a month on a Saturday morning 10 – 11.30am. The next dates are:

  • 9 December
  • 27 January
  • 24 February
  • 2 March
  • 13 April
  • 11 May
  • 8 June
  • 6 July

Winter Herbs for Health

Would you like to know how to use herbs to support your wellbeing but don’t know where to start?

In this beginners workshop, you will be introduced to a variety of herbs and shown how to use them to make teas, tinctures, oil infusions and balms. An opportunity to indulge in herbalism to discover and connect to the plants growing around us.

The workshop will include:

– how to dry & store herbs

– how to make herbal tea infusions

– how to make a herbal tincture

– home made cake and herbal tea tastings

– how to prepare an oil infusion

– how to make a soothing balm

A homemade cake & herbal tea break is included in the workshop, prepared using herbs grown in their community garden. The cake will be gluten free & vegan.

Please get in touch if you have any other dietary requirements.

All materials will be provided but please wear clothing suitable for the outdoors as they will try to spend some time in the garden (and we can’t guarantee sun unfortunately!).

Would you like to know how to use herbs to support your wellbeing but don’t know where to start?

In this beginners workshop, you will be introduced to a variety of herbs and shown how to use them to make teas, oxymels, oil infusions and balms. An opportunity to indulge in herbalism to discover and connect to the plants growing around us.

The workshop will include:

– how to dry & store herbs

– how to make herbal tea infusions

– how to make a herbal oxymel (using our own Hamilton Honey)

– herbal cake & tea break

– how to prepare an oil infusion

– how to make a soothing balm (using organic beeswax from our hives)

All materials will be provided but please wear clothing suitable for the outdoors as they will try to spend some time in the garden (and we can’t guarantee sun unfortunately!).

Please note – we will be using honey and beeswax from our sustainably managed bee hives located on site in their community garden.

If you would prefer not to use honey / bees wax, please get in touch ahead of the class and they can organise alternative products for you to use.

Everything you make in the session will be yours to take home, including:

– a herbal oxymel

– a herb infused oil

– a herbal balm

There will also be a selection of sample oxymels for you to try!

The herbs you will be using during the session have been grown and dried on site in our community garden or foraged from local wild spots.

The herbs we will work with during the day will include:

– rosehip

– sage

– mint

– calendula

– lavender

– and more seasonal delights!

About the Teacher

The Herbs for Health workshops are led by Rosie Ashton a self taught community herbalist who has been working with plants for several years in community gardens across the UK.

Rosie has a background in permaculture and is an experienced food grower and plant-based chef. She has been creating community gardens and facilitating food growing and wellbeing sessions since 2016.

With a passion for plants, she spends her free time deepening her herbal knowledge foraging, and in her allotment where she grows an ever growing collection of medicinal herbs.

FAQs

Are the lip balms vegan?

No, however the beeswax is sourced from our onsite bee hives which are sustainably managed.

Are there ID or minimum age requirements to enter the event?

Any child under 16 must be accompanied by an adult and we operate a no under 10 policy.

What are my transportation/parking options for getting to and from the event?

By Train:

We are a stone’s throw away from Hamilton Square train station which is just a short walk down Cleveland street and accessible from all inner city Liverpool Stations and all Wirral line stations.

By Bus:

There are numerous bus stops nearby and around the Hamilton Square area, all just short walks away from our space. These include numbers: 41, 216, 217, 409, 410, 411, 413, 414, 423, 811 and several others.

By Car:

Follow the signs for Hamilton Square. We don’t have any designated parking for visitors but there is a range of paid and free parking close by.

Paid parking:

– Cleveland Street

– Prince Street

– Elgin Way

– Duncan Street

– Hinson Street

More on wirral.gov.uk/parking-roads-and-travel

Free and unlimited parking:

– Russell Street (5 min walk)

– Brooke Street East (5 min walk)

How accessible is the venue?

The workshop is located on the ground floor which provides full accessibility to the premises including toilet provisions.

Where can I contact the organiser with any questions?

Feel free to get in touch with the Make CIC office at 0151 601 8665 or email hello@makecic.org

Is my registration/ticket transferrable?

If you find that you cannot attend then you are welcome to pass your place on to a friend who may find it useful. Please let the organiser know if you need to do this.

Alternatively tickets can be transferred to a future event up to 7 days before the event.

Do I have to bring my printed ticket to the event?

No, a register will be taken at the workshop, it isn’t necessary to print your ticket.

What is the refund/cancellation policy?

Refunds will be offered in the event of the class being cancelled – in this instance we will give as much notice as possible, usually at least 5 days, and offer alternative dates if appropriate.

This class does have a minimum requirement of ticket sales to proceed, so there is a possibility of it being cancelled, but we will contact you five days before if this is the case.

If for any reason you find you are unable to attend then please get in touch and a refund can be offered up to 7 days before the workshop.

This is because we pay our practitioners fair wages for their work- giving refunds on last minute cancellations would mean that practitioners would not be paid for the preparation they have put into their classes.

*Refunds will be given minus Eventbrite fees, unless Make CIC cancel the class, in which case a full refund will be given*

The name on the registration/ticket doesn’t match the attendee. Is that okay?

Please bring along a print out of your ticket if the registration does not match the attendee, or contact hello@makecic.org to have them change the ticket so it contains your name.

What can I bring into the event?

You don’t need to bring anything but yourself. All materials are provided.

Cake and tea will be provided – which will be vegan and gluten free but please let them know if you have any other dietary requirements ahead of the session.

Drink & Draw

If you enjoy doodling and sketching and want the chance to do some life drawing in a friendly relaxed atmosphere, then come and check out this monthly class!

The sessions take place in their beautiful, cosy bar and include a cheese board and glass of wine. For those of you who are new to life drawing and maybe feeling a tad awkward or nervous, having a complimentary glass of wine will help you get into your creative flow!

The cheeseboard will be served during the break so please let them know if you have any dietary requirements and they’ll do their best to accommodate you.

This class is for anyone aged 16 or over, whether you’re a regular at life drawing classes or you can barely hold a pencil, everyone is welcome. This is an untaught session to come and practise.

Please bring whichever materials you feel comfortable working with, from some charcoal to a biro, a small sketch pad to A3 sheets of paper. There will be a limited amount of drawing boards and materials, available on a first come first serve basis.

This session is a chilled out place to have a go if you haven’t drawn before and also a perfect opportunity for the more experienced artists to practise.

You are encouraged to come from 6:15pm to chat and find a place. There will be a 20 minute break in the middle to finish off the fromage and get your complimentary glass of wine.

To make their model feel as comfortable as possible they would ask you to follow standard life drawing etiquette and talk quietly.

FAQs

Are there ID or minimum age requirements for this class?

The class is for people ages 16+.

What are my transportation/parking options for getting to and from the event?

On street parking is free and unlimited. Public transport links are nearby, and the venue is easily accessible on foot from Liverpool City Centre.

How accessible is the venue?

The workshop is located on the ground floor which provides full accessibility to the premises including toilet provisions. We would advise wheelchair users to contact the workshop provider on the sale of the ticket to arrange a parking bay.

Where can I contact the organiser with any questions?

Feel free to get in touch with the Make CIC office at 0151 601 8665 or email hello@makecic.org

I have dietary requirements – what should I do?

We are able to supply vegan cheese and offer a gluten free option if you get in touch ahead of the class – however we are not an allergen free restaurant and cannot ensure that cross contamination will never occur.

Is my registration/ticket transferrable?

If you find that you cannot attend then you are welcome to pass your place on to a friend who may find it useful. Please let the organiser know if you need to do this. Alternatively tickets can be transferred to a future event up to 7 days before the event.

Do I have to bring my printed ticket to the event?

A register will be taken at the workshop, it isn’t necessary to print your ticket.

The name on the registration/ticket doesn’t match the attendee. Is that okay?

Please bring along a print out of your ticket if the registration does not match the attendee, or contact hello@makecic.org to have them change the ticket so it contains your name.

Can I get a refund for my ticket?

Refunds are available up to 7 days before the event.

Refunds will be offered in the event of the event being cancelled, alternative dates will be offered if appropriate.

If for any reason you find you are unable to attend then please get in touch and a refund can be offered up to 7 days before the class. After this date they can only offer a refund if your space is able to be filled.

Event

This is because they pay practitioners fair wages for their work- giving refunds on last minute cancellations would mean that practitioners would not be paid for the preparation they have put into their classes.