The New Mothers’ Writing Circle is a series of 8 weekly workshops which uses the fundamentals of creative writing craft to spark ideas and get mums writing at key, transitional stages in their lives. 

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The impact on the participating women — from diverse ethnic and social backgrounds — has been incredible. Many of them have spoken of the transformational effect of The New Mothers’ Writing Circle:

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"I don't feel it is an exaggeration to say the experience has been life changing."

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Unlike almost all mother & baby groups, The New Mothers’ Writing Circle offers an inclusive space which is about the mother and her experience, rather than that of the baby (although the babies are present and very welcome). The concept of matrescence underpins the project, acknowledging that every mother goes through a sudden and yet incremental metamorphosis across each aspect of her life: Her identity is blown apart, her relationships with others and herself shifts, how and where she spends her time and with whom changes and, for many, there is a dawning realisation that how she is seen by society is now radically different.

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The New Mothers’ Writing Circle is a place to explore this metamorphosis through creative writing and discussions, centring the woman’s experience rather than that of their baby. It is not a therapeutic space but many of the women who have taken part talk about the benefits to their mental health and the sense of community.

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The project aims to be intersectional, anti-racist and welcoming of mothers and non-binary people who self-identify as mothers, including those who adopt, foster, use a surrogate, are the non-birthing mother within a Queer relationship, or are step-mothers. It is open to those becoming mothers whether in their teens or later in life, whatever level of schooling and no writing experience is necessary. 

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At the core of the project are over 25 books of poetry, prose and memoir, plus podcasts, talks, imagery and articles. The reading list can be viewed here. These texts inform the workshops and act as jumping off points for creative writing: creative non-fiction and lifewriting prompts will include journaling, letters, poems and lists, as well as fictional prompts to draw out experiences of some of the less-discussed aspects of new motherhood.

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Each week the online workshops are led by Founder & Director Catrin Kemp, who is joined by a rotating mix of award-winning co-leads, including poet Liz Berry, author & journalist Saima Mir, and author & midwife Leah Hazard.

 

In-person workshops 2022 - 2023 drew on talent based in Glasgow: author and editor Genevieve Herr, actor and director Adura Onashile, playwright Ishbel McFarlane, policy maker Saima Sheikh, academic Laura Bissell and author Cynthia Rogerson. You can read about these women below and watch a BBC mini-documentary about the project here.

 

If you are interested in taking part online, read more here.​