The Writers' Block

03/06/2026

We've been Geocaching!!

03/06/2026

Lovely puppet, song and story show for under 3's at The Ladder next week!

🏖️ Hello Beach is coming to Redruth! 🐚☀️

Join Bran, Tor and their new friend Piper for a magical day beside the sea in this joyful interactive theatre experience designed especially for babies and toddlers aged 0–2.

Pack your imagination and come along on a seaside picnic filled with:

Puppetry
Singing and music
Key-word signing
Multi-sensory storytelling
Beachside adventures and surprises

Following the success of Hello Birds, this brand-new show invites little ones to explore, play, and discover who might join us by the shore.

📅 Wednesday 11 June
⏰ 12.30pm & 2.30pm
📍 The Ladder, Redruth

Perfect for under 3s and their grown-ups. Spaces are limited, so book early to avoid disappointment!

Written by Jasmine Cole
Directed by Connie Crosby
Music & Lyrics by Connie Crosby and Hannah Platts
Key-word signing supported by Arthur's Club
Photograph: Neal McGaw from Hello Birds

Book here: https://www.tickettailor.com/events/theladderredruth/2183075

03/06/2026

✍️Applications are NOW OPEN for Stage Writing for Commission ✍️

Are you an emerging playwright with a passion for storytelling? This is your chance to write for one of the UK’s most iconic theatres, the legendary The Minack Theatre.

In partnership with The Minack Theatre, The Writers’ Block is offering a fully funded 4-day training programme for emerging writers, led by dramaturge and writer Jane Pugh.

What’s included:
• Practical workshops in writing for theatre
• Script development and industry feedback
• A live read-through by Minack Academy actors
• The opportunity to have your 10-minute play professionally commissioned, directed, and performed at The Minack Theatre Play in a Day in Autumn 2026

📍 The Writers’ Block, Redruth
📅 Workshops: 15–17 July + Sharing Day 23 July 2026
💸 Fully funded (travel/accommodation not included)
⏰ Application deadline: 15 June 2026

We’re looking for writers of all ages and backgrounds, especially (but not limited to) those connected to Cornwall and the South West.

“This was a dynamic, collaborative and inspiring experience that fuelled my creativity for years to come.” 🌟

To apply, you will need to submit a 3-minute play.
Read the full application pack via the website

https://thewritersblock.org.uk/news/sw4c/

02/06/2026

A little late in sharing this news perhaps, but we'd love to welcome Olivia Lowry as our Creative Lead for Children & Young People 🌟

Olivia’s journey with The Writers' Block began more than ten years ago, first as a young member of The Story Republic, before stepping into workshop facilitation and, over time, becoming an integral part of the creative life of The Writers’ Block.

Now, as part of our core development team alongside Helen, Grace and Lucy, Olivia continues to shape spaces where young people can write, imagine, question and create freely.

She's held the Young Writers group with care and generosity, led unforgettable Agatha Christie Festival schools workshops, and encouraged countless young voices, including groups of care experienced young people and reluctant writers in school groups to discover confidence in their own stories, through writing and (beautiful!) craft.

We’re so happy to have Olivia in this role, and excited for everything still to come!

Image - Steve Tanner

01/06/2026

When was the last time you wrote something just for you?

No, not an email or a to-do list!

What would happen if you gave yourself permission to write without worrying if it was “good enough”?

At The Writers' Block, this is exactly the space we hold in Everybody has a Story, a course where you can arrive with a blank page, and guided by our lovely facilitator and writer Lucy Beckley, leave with ideas you didn’t know were there!

Over 6 weeks, Everybody Has a Story invites you to explore creative writing in a relaxed, welcoming setting. You’ll be guided through creative prompts designed to spark imagination, unlock memories, and gently push past writers’ block, whether you’re returning to writing after years or picking up a pen for the first time.

June 9, June 16, June 23, June 30 (no session July 7) July 14, July 21
📍 The Writers’ Block, The Ladder, Redruth, TR15 2QE

“Every session has been stimulating and enjoyable… often surprising results, and a few magical moments.” – previous participant

Book here: https://www.tickettailor.com/events/thewritersblock/2100867

01/06/2026

STORY QUEST DAY!

We made huge drawings with giant pencils, created crazy head-to-toe creatures, filled our pockets with our favourite things, read books, and listened to stories and songs from The Story Republic.

Thanks to everyone who came!

30/05/2026

The Story Republic in The Secret Gin Garden at Great Estate singing ‘Dolly Pentreath’ by Claire Ingleheart. Catch them again tomorrow at 1.30pm!

30/05/2026

Another incredible day at Storylab yesterday!

led a zine making workshop for teens and the parents enjoyed it just as much! ✂️

is as brilliant a workshop facilitator as she is a writer! An insightful look into memoir writing

Then, has us laughing and crying writhing the space of 15 minutes at Speakeasy, followed by the most wonderful sharing from local writers. The most perfect evening - we’re just sad it had to end!

We wrapped up Story Lab today at - more on that to come 🌱

29/05/2026

We’ve have a brilliant couple of days of workshops running in Helston for young people

On Wednesday Olivia has us channelling our Victorian era with flower poetry and hand made Victorian cards at 🥀

Meanwhile Jo brought the birds to .library for Little Story Seekers for singing and storytelling 🐣

And then Keith has been at with his always brilliant Manga drawing class, sharing his skills ✍️

And now we’re ready for more! Today we have a zine making workshop for teens with Karen, a memoir writing workshop with the brilliant writer Cathy Renzenbrink and an Open Mic evening with guest speaker Tamara with a full line up of amazing people signed up to read 🗣️

Check out our latest posts for what we’re up to Saturday - our final Story Lab day with . We’ll miss you Helston! 🌱

27/05/2026

What an enjoyable and FUN evening! We had such a wonderful time last night with SCAMP as part of our Story Lab pop up

In this gentle and playful session, we were guided through a series of generative writing exercises to explore alternative characters and personas and then looked at the costumes and clothes that they would wear.

So much JOY and an enormous thank you to Scamp for holding us all so gently and warmly as we explored different identities. MORE PLEASE!