Online Poetry Programme for neurodivergent creatives (aged 18-35)

Are you neurodivergent? Want to build skills and confidence in writing poetry?
If you’re a new, aspiring or emerging poet aged 18 to 35, Mainspring Arts is running a 7-week online poetry programme on Sunday evenings from February 2024 with prize-winning neurodivergent poet, Vicky Morris.

The programme will offer a set of relaxed and inspiring poetry workshops for neurodivergent creatives (aged 18 and upwards). Be you new to poetry, or already writing, this is an opportunity to build confidence and develop (or refresh) your poetry writing skills in a safe and supportive small group setting.

Vicky has mentored many emerging poets including recipients of the New Poets Prize. Through a range of engaging exercises and example texts, she’ll encourage you to generate ideas and write poems you’ll want to polish and send out into the world. She’ll also offer insightful tips and tricks for strengthening your work, building your confidence as a poet, and getting the best from your neurodivergent thinking.

Who’s the programme for?
The programme is open to new, aspiring and emerging poets who identify as neurodivergent (e.g. Autism Spectrum Condition, ADHD, Dyslexia). As the programme is on Zoom, it’s open to anyone across the UK who would like to develop their writing further.

No experience is needed, and all interests are welcome. Expect a warm, inclusive and supportive group, led by an experienced poet and facilitator.

Dates:

  • Intro session from Mainspring Arts: Monday  Thursday 8th Feb 2024 (6pm)
  • Session 1: Sunday 11th February, 5.30 to 7pm
  • Session 2: Sunday 18th Feb, 5.30 to 7pm
  • Session 3: Sunday 25th Feb, 5.30 to 7pm
  • Session 4: Sunday 3rd March, 5.30 to 7pm
  • Session 5: Sunday 10th March, 5.30 to 7pm
  • Session 6: Sunday 24th March 5.30 to 7pm
  • There may also be an online share event at the end the course (decided on by the group, TBC)

To Apply
We have a simple application process, not as a way to judge merit for the programme, but rather to gauge needs and interests. It’s possible, if the programme is popular or oversubscribed, further courses may happen in the future.
Send (in one Word or .rtf document):

  • Up to 200 words about yourself and your poetry writing interests. You could include: where you are with your writing and any input you’ve had with it, why you’re applying for this programme, and how you think it would be of help – note, it is not necessary to be already writing and experienced for this course, so please feel free to just tell us a little about you in general if you’d prefer.
  • If you are writing creatively, you might want to also send up to two A4 page of your writing (fiction, poetry, anything creative) – again this is not necessary.
  • Access requirements: Please tell us if there’s anything that could help us to support you better during the programme.
  • Please also send: Your full name, age, date of birth, telephone number, address and anything else you might want to tell us by ………. 2023 to [email protected]

If you have any questions, or If you do not fit the 18-35 age range but are neurodivergent and interested in this kind of programme, please contact: [email protected]

Vicky Morris is a British/Welsh poet based in Sheffield. Her chapbook If All This Never Happened won the Munster Fool for Poetry Chapbook Competition 2021 and was shortlisted in the Saboteur Awards for Best Poetry Pamphlet 21/22. Her poetry has appeared in places like The Rialto, The Poetry Review, Magma and The North. She has placed in various competitions including winning the Aurora Prize for Poetry 2020, and the Prole Laurate Competition in 2019. Vicky is the founder of Hive Young Writers and received a Sarah Nulty Award 2019 for her impact developing younger writers. She is a recent Arvon/Jerwood mentee and was shortlisted for the Mairtín Crawford Award 2022. www.vickymorris.co.uk