Wordplay for Autumn

Join us in a relaxed, informal workshop for adults who would like to try writing creatively for their own enjoyment and wellbeing. No formal experience needed - just bring pen or pencil and paper - and open mind!

Discover how the Nature we enjoy in the forest and by the coast can unlock your imagination this autumn. Explore ways to express yourself through wordplay and visual inspiration, guided by experienced tutors.

What to Expect:

• A calm, safe space to tune into the power of words and the natural world
• Guided exercises and writing prompts inspired by the natural word to help you express your thoughts on the page
• Time to relax and enjoy writing in a small, supportive group (12 max)
• Experienced tutors with exercises, techniques, and options everyone can try
• An enjoyable workshop for adults where you don’t need any special experience, or to share your work - unless you want to!
• Not a workshop teaching grammar, spelling, or writing structure and techniques.

When: 1st November 2025

Where: Hillcroft Room, Lymington Library, North Close, SO41 9BW. Click here for directions, transport, and accessibility.

Time: 11am-12.30pm or 2pm – 3.30pm (1.5 hours repeated, please choose one session)

Tickets: £5 or donation.

What you need: for adults 16+. Please bring pen/pencil and paper, water to drink.

About the tutors:

Claire Gradidge is a Patron of Read Easy Southampton and Isle of Wight. Born and brought up in Romsey, she was a nurse and school librarian before gaining a PhD in Creative Writing. An Associate Lecturer at the University of Winchester for 12 years, now retired, she leads a local Adult Education writing class and is a successful author. Her debut crime novel, set in Romsey in WW2, The Unexpected Return of Josephine Fox (Zaffre, 2019), won the Richard and Judy Search for a Bestseller award in 2019. Treachery at Hursley Park House ( 2021) and A Conflict of Interests (2022) followed. She is currently working on a fourth novel in the series.

Kate Randerson is a Read Easy New Forest volunteer Coach and Local Connector, helping raise awareness of the charity, and Lymington resident. With a long career in PR and charity communications, she also has a Creative Writing MA (Hons) Degree and studied therapeutic writing. Kate has run a number of Writing for Wellbeing workshops for charities in person and online, inspired by her love of language and nature. A qualified Mental Health First Aider, Kate recently studied British Sign Language, and is a member of the National Association of Writers in Education, and Lapidus International (Writing for Wellbeing).

These special workshops for the Play on Words Festival are run by Read Easy New Forest, part of the charity Read Easy Southampton & Isle of Wight, which provides free, confidential, one-to-one coaching for adults who want to improve their reading. All proceeds after ticketing fees will go to Read Easy Southampton & Isle of Wight.

Find out more about other events and activities as part of Play on Words at www.playonwords.org.uk.

Please get in touch if you know someone who wants to learn to read, or if you can read and would like to help someone else, support is available in Hythe, Lyndhurst, Lymington, New Milton, Totton and online. Find us at: facebook.com/ReadEasySouthamptonIOW.

Read Easy Southampton & Isle of Wight (Registered charity no 1211966) is a legally independent organisation, affiliated to Read Easy UK.