Writing for Wellbeing

Description

This course combines writing with Mindfulness and Compassion. It includes simple exercises and meditation practices which will help you connect with your creativity. Whilst this course does explore some poetry it is not intended to follow formal writing structures as we use free writing as a means of connecting you quickly with your inner voice. Over the course, we will create a safe space for you to share the work you have done as part of the course. This is an ideal class for you if you have been looking for a way to connect and express your emotions, guided weekly by gentle prompts as part of a supportive group.
Key points:
You will have a moment to slow things down and become more grounded with short meditations.
Subjects have stated how free writing allows them to connect with feelings and emotions that they were unaware of.
This course allows you to consider how you experience events and things in your life. How it appeared and how you felt about it.
There will be opportunities to discuss some poetry and each others work however, there is no pressure to participate.
There will be exercises and tools that help build resilience and allow you to build your own writing practice.

If you are currently undergoing a cognitive therapy, this might not be the right time to undertake this course.

Materials List

You will need a notebook and pen. Please bring a small object that can fit in your hand to the first session only.

Fees & Further Information

Please note: All 10, and 12 week courses have a half term break in the middle. For term dates please visit our ‘Contact us’ page. We are not open on bank holiday Monday’s and any class that falls on these days will be made up at the end of term.

Fees

• You will need to have paid in full for your course or workshop to guarantee your place. We do not accept deposit or part payments. Course and workshops are becoming increasingly popular, so please book early in order to guarantee your place.
• We do offer concession rates for anyone over 65, NHS staff (blue light cards), Students or claiming the benefits listed below. As we are a self-funded organisation we receive no financial support, in order to offer these rates.
• The concessionary rate is for those whose sole source of income is from a state benefit. We accept Universal Credit, Income Support, Job Seekers Allowance and Employment and Support Allowance. Please show a recent letter or statement stating your benefit when enrolling.

Refunds

• In the event that we have to cancel a course, we aim to inform you 2 working days before the start date, or at least 24 hours before a day workshop. If we have to cancel a course, then you will receive a full credit note or refund.
• If you wish to cancel your place you must inform us up to 14 days before the start date of your course or workshop. In this case you will receive a refund minus a 15% admin fee.
• If you give us less than 14 days notice, or your course or workshop has already started a refund will be not given.

Please see full terms and conditions for more information.

Latecomer

If a course has already started, please call the office as it may be possible to join after the start date. This may only be possible if the course is not already full, if it is not disruptive for the other students and you are aware that you have missed a percentage of the course and the tutor will not have time to catch you up. This will be at the discretion of the Folk House. We run our courses termly, so it might be best to start at the beginning of the course.

Levels

• You must be over 18 years old to attend a course or workshop at the Bristol Folk House.
• All our courses and workshops are non-accredited and will not receive a certificate for attending.
• We offer a range of courses at all levels and our tutors make every effort to accommodate your individual needs. Before choosing you may want to speak to the tutor to make sure the course is right for you. Please contact the office.
• To join all of our courses you must be able to follow written and verbal instructions and you may be invited to take part in group discussions. Please look at the rest of the course outline carefully to decide if you may benefit from any additional support to help you to take part in this class. Please contact the office if you require any further information.
• If you have a disability, learning difficulty or mental health issue which may affect your participation in your chosen course please contact the office prior to enrolling. If you will need to bring a career or support worker with you to the class, please inform the office when enrolling so we can make arrangements.

Access/ Parking

• Much as we would like to provide access for all, the Folk House has no level access or accessible facilities. This is something we are working on but it will take several years to complete - check our website for more details.
• We have no onsite car parking at the Bristol Folk House but there are many paid parking spots in the area. Please ask us for details on parking or see our website for more detail.
• We are on a busy bus route and have plenty of bike racks in our courtyard garden.