About me
Hello there,
Thank you for stopping by to find out more ‘About Me’.
Where to start? Like most creatives, I have a few strings to my bow but whether working as a writer, artist, educator or mentor, everything I do is informed by years of professional experience combined with a deep-felt understanding of the connection between creative activity and wellbeing – especially when experienced in nature.
My Background
The only subjects I really enjoyed at school were English and Art so I’ve spent a lifetime engineering ways to play with words and pictures – and get paid for it.
Writing, Editing & Publishing
After many years working as a writer/author and editor for some of the UK’s biggest publishing companies in London, I moved to the coast, became a freelance, and took a part-time role as Senior Lecturer in Writing, Editing and Publishing at Bournemouth University.
At BU, I designed and launched the MA Creative Writing & Publishing, Fresher Publishing press and The Bournemouth Writing Prize, supervised Masters students as they developed their novels or short story collections, and ran Design, Editing and Publishing.
Educator & Facilitator
Although I have now left BU, educating, supporting and facilitating others – especially through my Creative Path workshops and mentoring – remains hugely important to me.
I am trained in facilitating creative workshops for personal & professional development and wellbeing and currently work part-time as a lead facilitator for ArtfulScribe on an Arts Council funded community project.
For many years I have also delivered workshops in reflective and creative practice to GPs/health professionals and, as a qualified Yoga teacher, like to introduce an element of yoga and/or breath work into my workshops and mentoring if appropriate.
ART
Despite studying Art, my practise remained on the back burner during my years in publishing and it’s only in more recent years that I’ve been able to give it more time.
In January 2023, I launched the 50 Pictures for 50 Years (see more on the ART page) project, in partnership with the SouthWest Coast Path Association, in celebration of their 50th birthday; walking, drawing and painting the path to create 50 pictures, while also raising money for Dementia UK.
This had such an impact on my mindset and approach to creativity, that I was inspired to launch The Creative Path workshops and retreats for everyone, wherever they are (or want to be) on their own creative journey.
Charity Work
My recent art projects have allowed me to support Dementia UK and the South West Coast Path Association, in various ways, including giving my time to the SW Coast Path’s Connectors project with Creative Play workshops for community groups along the Path.
In 2020, I co-founded (and remain a trustee of) The Story Works, a children’s writing charity, whose patron is Michael Rosen, and which delivers free creative workshops to hundreds of young people each year.
In 2022, after leaving BU to focus on my own practice, I became a Lead Facilitator for ArtfulScribe, working on a creative community project, part-time.
What I offer
I now divide my time between my own practice as a writer and artist and helping others to progress and build confidence in their own work. Alongside my work for ArtfulScribe and the Story Works, I offer the following:
Mentoring WRITERS
As an editor and university lecturer, I steered numerous writers and masters students to success in the past. I now provide a mentoring service in person and online, helping writers improve and build confidence in any aspect of their craft, from initial concept and editing to approaching agents or considering independent publishing.
My approach has proved popular so I now have a waiting list for mentoring, but turn to the Writing page to find out more, or send me a message here.
Creative Play workshops
Often working with The Southwest Coast Path Association, these workshops encourage people across Dorset, Devon and Cornwall, to step out onto the Coast Path and discover the joy and benefits of creative play, inspired by nature.
I also run ‘inside’ versions in galleries, nature reserves and other inspiring spaces!
If you are part of, or know a community group or charity that would benefit from such sessions, please get in touch with me here.
The Creative Path retreats
These nurturing retreats provide people with the opportunity to escape outside pressures and immerse themselves in nature, creativity and peaceful reflection. Scheduled to align with the changing seasons, in March, June, September and December, they offer the opportunity to try new things, reflect on your own Path and ease yourself into the next phase of the year with a focus on what is most important to you.
Head to The Creative Path page to find out more.
