Facilitation.

I love seeing
people grow.

Skills

Exploration Listening Communication Inclusivity Engagement Flexibility Creativity Leadership

I have freelanced for ArtfulScribe, a literature development agency and Community Interest Company, for two years, gaining valuable experience in writing workshops. This builds on many years of designing and delivering training, away days, and consultation events with young people leaving local authority care, learning-disabled adults, and children and young people, as well as statutory and charitable organisations.

ArtfulScribe

January 2026 onwards

Mask Off

I have been developing Mask Off, a writing group for late-diagnosed autistic women. Mask Off will commence in 2026 at October Books, Portswood, Southampton. More information will be available soon.

December 2025

What Women Write

As part of the Jane Austen 250 celebrations, I will lead two workshops for the ‘What Women Write’ project, supporting neurodivergent women writers. We will explore how nature can be used in writing and our own experiences with it. Click here for more information.

October 2025

Play on Words festival

I devised and facilitated an accessible poetry session for adults with learning disabilities and autism at Minstead Trust as part of the Play on Words festival 2025. Autumnal treasures, like leaves, sweet chestnuts and sticks, were used as inspiration for a group poem. A visual hand poem then explored their wishes and favourite memories. The session was rounded off with their first open mic.

November 2023 to October 2025

MAST Mayflower Junior and Young Writers

I assisted with weekly term-time writing support to children and young people in Southampton's MAST Mayflower Studios. The lead facilitator took responsibility for the session, and I was their lovely assistant, just like Paul Daniels and Debbie McGee, but with less Lycra. Occasionally, I led the sessions and explored characterisation, senses and giving effective feedback. I wrote a weekly blog on the ArtfulScribe website, which is linked here.

April 2025

Bournemouth Writing Festival

I was responsible for the day-long drop-in for children and young people at the Bournemouth Writing Festival 2025. I recruited volunteers from Bournemouth University’s Creative Writing and Publishing MA programme and worked alongside ArtfulScribe colleagues. Exercises included a sensory box, a hand-washing line, and flashcards. See you there again for the 2026 festival.

February 2025

Bournemouth Youth Forum

I devised and ran a consultation workshop with the young people from Bournemouth's Youth Forum, in preparation for the Bournemouth Writing Festival. This included trialling exercises and receiving feedback on the ones that would appeal to their age range. They shared their ideas and helped steer the content of the drop-in sessions.

Before writing

I worked as a support worker and manager in social care and higher education, with a common thread of facilitation, training, and consultancy throughout these roles.

For twelve years, I worked for Minstead Trust, a learning disability charity, supporting adults in the plant nursery and the charity’s public heritage garden. During this time, I also took on a project management role. I assisted it in moving from a small to a medium-sized organisation by managing multiple projects and setting up two new day services. I consulted with learning-disabled adults, staff, and volunteers and delivered training on new processes.

I spent three years at Southampton Solent University, managing two student support teams. I provided strategic vision and leadership to support students' mental health and well-being, enabling them to thrive in their studies. I chaired meetings, facilitated away days and coordinated World Mental Health Day events.