Free, Online Workshops for Autistic Writers in the North

Free creative writing workshops for Autistic writers aged 18+ in the North of England (Derby and Nottingham included).

Join Gemma Lees and Via MacNab for a series of twice-a-month creative writing workshops aimed at Autistic in the North of England.

Workshops take place online for 1.5 hours at a time and are 100% free. Each session, Gemma and Via will walk you through creative writing exercises to inspire you and encourage your creativity, after which you will have the option to share your writing if you would like among likeminded writers in a safe and open environment.

This group is for Autistic adults in the North of England. Led by Romany Gypsy poet Gemma Lees, we offer a warm welcome to all — with a special invitation to GRTSB (Gypsy, Roma, Traveller, Showmen & Boater) communities.

We offer a special welcome to members of the GRTSB (Gypsy, Roma, Traveller, Showmen and Boater) communities because these voices are often marginalised—not only in wider society, but also within Neurodivergent and creative spaces. GRTSB people who are also Autistic may face multiple layers of misunderstanding, exclusion and stigma, making it harder to access support, representation or a sense of belonging. By creating a space led by a Romany Gypsy writer, we hope to build trust, visibility and community—ensuring that GRTSB perspectives are recognised, respected and celebrated within our shared creative space.

Workshops take place online, twice a month on Thursday evenings from 7 – 8.30 pm, starting in October. Don’t worry if you can’t make them all! Sessions are designed as standalone, so if you sign up late or you need to miss one for any reason, there’s absolutely no pressure.

FULL DATES:

18^th September

2^nd October

23^rd October

6^th November

20^th November

4^th December

18^th December

15^th January

5^th February

19^th February

19^th March

26^th March

2^nd April

16^th April

The full programme of workshops will run until April 2026. To sign up, click here:

https://beyondthespectrum.uk/for-adults/gemma-lees/