I facilitate creative writing workshops, both public and private by commission; I also offer mentoring and editing services.

I am an experienced leader of workshops with adults and young people.  I use supportive semi-structured exercises to get the best out of people’s creative and imaginative writing, in prose or poetry. 

I am happy to lead small or larger groups, and I particularly enjoy working with people who are less experienced and/or lack confidence, though working with experienced writers is a great pleasure too!  Feedback on my workshops is usually very positive: ‘Organisation was excellent… A lovely, supportive and inspiring atmosphere right from the off – Lesley is a wonderful teacher, full of great ideas and insightful comments…’

I regularly design and lead workshops to accompany the spring exhibitions of art curated by Elaine Blake at Reading Museum and Art Gallery. Visit the museum website to find out what and when: the next one is on Saturday 24 January 2026. On 16 March 2020 I led a workshop on the wonderful exhibition on animals in art then on display.  This was just before the first Covid lockdown, when full restrictions were imposed on travel and socialising, and it fortuitously gave me the opportunity to encounter Rebecca Swainston’s work – see my News page.

During the pandemic I designed and led online workshops, and found this mode more conducive than I expected in supporting people’s writing.

As part of Malmesbury’s Wessex Week in October 2022, I led a workshop inspired by the dreams, visions and riddles of the Anglo-Saxon world.

Commissioned workshops, mentoring and editing:

I am available by arrangement for commissioned workshops, open or themed, for new and/or experienced writers: please contact me by e-mail.

I also offer mentoring and editing services, by arrangement: please contact me if you’d like to discuss possibilities.