What Women Write: mothers with babies

There is a moment, somewhere between the night feeds and the endless lists when you realise your own voice has gone quiet. Balancing our needs as a woman with the demands of being a mother can be challenging, but that voice isn’t gone, it’s just waiting.

This workshop is a space to allow that voice room to be curious.

To write, without needing to be perfect.

To create, without needing permission.

To play, to breathe, to remember who you are beyond the care you give.

Together, we’ll explore quick, expressive ways to write — from creating typography portraits and found poetry to responding to images and moments from everyday life. You’ll find inspiration in the small, beautiful mundanities that fill our days, transforming them into honest, resonant poetry — like the work of Hollie McNish and Tanya Markul.

This isn’t another baby group. This is your space. A space to rest, write, and remember yourself.

This workshop is a gentle invitation to give something back to yourself.

There are two sessions which take place as follows, and we encourage you to attend both if you can:

Tuesday 6 January, 11am-1pm

Tuesday 27 January, 11am-1pm

Both at Lordshill Library.

These creative writing workshops are two of a series taking place across Southampton as part of the Jane Austen 250 celebrations, offering women the opportunity to reflect on contemporary life and share their unique perspectives.

These sessions are for mothers with babies aged 0-12 months who would like to connect with like-minded people and tell their own stories on their own terms about living and working in Southampton today. You are welcome to attend with or without your baby. You don't need to have read Jane Austen's books, nor do you need experience in creative writing. Anyone who identifies as a woman and a mother is welcome. To find out more about our other writing workshops please visit www.artfulscribe.co.uk.

More about the writers:

These workshops will be led by Adeola Sheehey, assisted by Liz Garland.

Adeola Sheehy is an Irish/Nigerian Londoner living in the New Forest, with her home educated children. Writing from the crossroads of race, womanhood, and creativity she uses prose to tackle the questions her mind ponders most and poetry to express the feelings closest to her heart. Her second poetry collection is due for publication next year and she is currently working on The Nightjar Project with African Activities.

Liz Garland is a writer, actor and facilitator. As a writer Liz is currently developing her play ‘Becoming Simone’, kindly supported by Mayflower Studios, Forest Forge Theatre Company and Stage Door, Southampton. Liz also wrote and produced the short film ‘Living Loud’, which was selected for inclusion in the Portsmouth Short Cuts Film Festival. Most recently Liz’s short play ‘Couple’s Therapy’ was performed as part of Pipeline, a scratch night at Poole Lighthouse. Her acting work includes No1 Tours, West End, BBC and Radio 4. She regularly coaches individuals in confident communication.

For access information and how to get to the library please visit https://www.southampton.gov.uk/libraries/find-library/lordshill-library/

If you have any questions please contact admin@artfulscribe.co.uk.

This project is supported by Southampton Forward, National Lottery Heritage Fund and Foyle Foundation as part of Jane Austen 250.