The Writing Retreat
The Writing Retreat is a collaboration between me and Kath Morgan, a fellow writing tutor in South Cornwall. We offer 5-night residential retreats, one day writing events, non-residential weekends, live online courses, and video courses you can watch in your own time. Our 2026 programme is open for booking. Sign up for The Writing Retreat news here and you’ll receive our regular updates plus some free ‘taster’ videos to introduce us.
Mylor Writers: the ‘writing gym’
Mylor Writers meet monthly on Saturday mornings in Mylor Bridge near Falmouth, from 10.00am to 12 noon. If you are unable to attend in person there is the option of meeting on Zoom on the following Wednesday evening, 7.30pm-9.30pm.
There is no critiquing in these sessions, but lots of stimulus to help your creative juices flow. If you want to make time for your creativity, these monthly get-togethers are the perfect way to make writing part of your regular routine. You’ll be in the company of others who love to write, in a friendly and welcoming group. Just bring a notebook and pen and let inspiration do the rest.
The cost is £8.00 per person, payable in advance by BACS or cash on the day. Dates for 2026 are here. Contact me here to receive monthly alerts about these sessions.
‘Trevow’, a community novel
In 2024 I completed the long and fascinating process of researching for a PhD, funded by the Arts and Humanities Research Council and hosted by Falmouth University. My topic was: ‘How can the novel be a vehicle for community participation?’ I found the answer with a fantastically enthusiastic group of volunteers who have collaborated to create Trevow, a novel set in Cornwall. It’s available as a paperback from the Falmouth Bookseller, The Cornish Store in Falmouth, on Amazon and on Kindle.
Read more about it here to learn how Trevow was made and how your writing group and the community around you could make your own novel.
Writing in the community
Most of my work takes place in communities rather than academic institutions or, for example, schools. I am a great believer in the power of writing to bring people together, and I know how important it is for anyone who writes to find their ‘writing tribe.’ I also believe that writing is one of the most accessible forms of creativity. Anyone can do it, no special kit is required apart from a pen and paper, and the process of writing can be as enjoyable as making art, craft, cookery, playing a musical instrument, or singing. I think of myself as a cultural democrat. Everyone has a voice, stories to tell, and things to express. Anyone can put words on the page.
In 2025 I was proud to become co-Chair of NAWE, the National Association of Writers in Education. This nationwide organisation provides services for its members who, like me, are teaching and facilitating creative writing throughout the land, in community centres, libraries, schools, colleges, universities, prisons, hospices, and in many other places. Find out more about NAWE’s work here.
Writing for health and wellbeing
One of my passions as a writer is the way writing supports health and wellbeing. I’m a member of Lapidus UK, which runs events to raise awareness of writing for wellbeing, and I’m the author of a book and related articles on Writing in Bereavement, A Creative Handbook. This is a guide for counsellors and volunteers who support people after someone has died, but can also be used as a self-help guide for individuals receiving counselling following bereavement.
In addition, I tutor a Special Study Unit in creative journal writing for medical students at the Peninsular Medical School, and I am a Director of Arts Well, a Community Interest Company promoting the arts in health and social care in Cornwall.