Free writing workshops
Friday 25th September 2026

Free workshops and activities

Venue: 8 Old Christchurch Rd (opposite McDonalds) in Bournemouth Town Centre.

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Writing for Beginners with the Hengistbury Head Writers' Group.

Drop-in between 10:30am to 3:30pm (excluding 12pm till 1pm)

Every thought about writing but didn’t know where to start? Have an idea for a memoir, book of some sort, shorter articles, blogs or poetry - but need some help to get going? Then pop in to meet the Hengistbury Head Writers’ Group to receive pointers, motivation and guidance, and maybe even write your first words.

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Hengistbury Head writers group meet in the visitor centre from 2pm to 4pm on the first Tuesday of the month.

The Writing Room with Tom Shaw.

1pm to 2:30pm

This special Writing Room is your chance to explore writing ideas 1-on-1 with another writer, get fresh perspectives and put your ideas into words. Whether you’re in need of a creative spark, ready to get started, or struggling to reach the end, you’ll have dedicated time and space to make progress and share your results with others.

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The Writing Room is an in-person space to connect with writers, gain insight and experiment with creative writing at the Hotel du Vin in Poole on the 2nd Tuesday of every month.

Words for Wellbeing presents...Word Weavers with C.W. Blackburn and Peter J Cooper.

2:30pm to 4pm

Join Words for Wellbeing to celebrate 'The Alchemy of the Word' with four fantastic poetry and prose writing exercises themed around magic and the elements! Hosted by C.W. Blackburn and Peter John Cooper, this fun and informal workshop is perfect for new and experienced writers alike, offering a relaxed and supportive space to explore your creativity, generate new ideas, and engage with the writing process. No need to register, just turn up on the day and bring a pen and paper.

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Words for Wellbeing is a free writing group taking place in Bournemouth Library, and also puts poems on the Writing on the Wall display in the lobby. Contact C.W. Blackburn for more information.

Writing the Elements with Louisa Flynn in association with Arts University Bournemouth.

4pm to 6pm.

Participants will be invited to explore elemental systems and consider how these forces operate within and around us, with creative outputs contributing to a communal piece of writing. Find out more about Louisa here.

Speak in the Wind Phone.

All day.

Lift the receiver of our disconnected phone and dial a number - or a name - past or present. Share your news, revisit a memory or say what was left unsaid, knowing it drifts safely into the wind.

Writers are invited to use the phone to test out dialogue, rehearse a poem or speak directly to a character. Step up, pick up and let the words out. Find out more about the wind phone here.

Romance Writing Festival Confessions Board.

All day.

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Reveal your deepest, darkest reading or writing secrets on our Confessions Board. Which fictional character would you run away with, what’s your guiltiest reading pleasure - or what would you never admit to your writing group? Don’t worry - what goes on the board, stays our secret…...

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The Romance Writing Festival takes place at the Marsham Court Hotel on Saturday 3rd October.