The CAST writing group is a structured, supportive space that uses writing to promote mental wellbeing. It’s designed for people of all abilities, and you don’t need to think of yourself as ‘a writer’ to come and take part. Just come ready to engage in the scheduled activities and give it a try.

The group is weekly, every Wednesday 2pm-4pm, run by Neil from Creative Arts Support Team (CAST) a group of mental health service users, volunteers and workers who use arts for mental health and wellbeing.

The purpose of the writing group: 

• Enjoyment of writing at any level.

• Building skills in writing techniques and creativity.

• Providing a mental health friendly space for a community of people interested in writing.

Each session will have a different theme, and will be structured in the following way. It doesn’t matter if you can’t make every session, or if you join part way through the programme of themes. No referral or advance booking is needed but if you would like more information, please contact Sheffield Flourish on Tel: 0114 273 7009 or Email: info@sheffieldflourish.co.uk

Structure for each session:

• 1. Reaffirming the purpose and culture of the group.

• 2. Icebreaker activity.

• 3. Main activity.

• 4. Introduce the theme/style of writing. 

• 5. Support personal writing activity.

• 6. Opportunity for a few people to share if they want to. 

• 7. Homework and next week’s focus.

The culture of the writing group:

• Everyone is given the opportunity and space to talk.
• We are respectful of other people’s opinions and have good intentions when giving feedback.
• We are here to celebrate creativity and not police spelling and grammar.
• We celebrate difference including diversity of authors and writing styles.
• We want people to be present, to participate and to be willing to learn.

Here is the programme of themes from January to March:

Date	Theme	Activity
W1: 08/01/2025	What Gives You Comfort?	Introduce new structure and schedule  Introduce purpose and expected culture  Personal writing on theme  Homework for following week:  bring in an object that brings you comfort
W2: 15/01/2025	What Gives You Comfort? Objects	Write about your object  Write about someone else’s object
W3: 22/01/2025	What Gives You Comfort?  Childhood comforts	Writing nursery rhymes  Symbolism
W4: 29/01/2025	What Gives You Comfort?  Memories	Writing prose
W5: 05/02/2025	What Brings You Joy?	Reaffirm purpose and culture  Personal writing on theme Homework for following week:  bring in a piece of writing, poetry, joke…that makes you laugh
W6: 12/02/2025	What Brings You Joy?  Comedy writing	Talk about what you’ve brought in and why it makes you laugh  Try writing a piece of comedy
W7: 19/02/2025	What Brings You Joy?  Friendship and love	In pairs and in any style, write something about friendship and/or love
W8: 26/02/2025	What Brings You Joy?  Imaginary friends	Write a short story about an imaginary friend
W9: 05/03/2025	Sight, Sounds, Smells, Taste	Reaffirm purpose and culture  Personal writing on theme  Homework for following week:  bring in something that smells or tastes nice
W10: 12/03/2025	Sight, Sounds, Smells, Taste Smell and taste	Writing haiku about nice smells or tastes
W11: 19/03/2025	Sight, Sounds, Smells, Taste Sight and sound	Anthropomorphic writing
W12: 26/03/2025	Sight, Sounds, Smells, Taste Favourite memory	Describe the sight, sound, smell, taste of a memory  How to write about things that no linger exist