Mother and Baby Writing Circles at 1b Books, Heaton

Early motherhood can be one of the loveliest and loneliest stretches of life at the same time. A local group called MotherFolk sets out to soften that transition, and this autumn it is running a weekly mother and baby writing circle right here in Heaton, at the independent bookshop 1b Books on Bolingbroke Street.

What happens at a writing circle

The circles are small, baby-friendly and, above all, mother-focused. Sessions use gentle writing prompts to help parents put words to the messy, tender experience of new motherhood, then a little quiet time to write and, if you want to, share. It is not about producing polished prose. As MotherFolk puts it, writing is simply a gentle tool to release, reconnect with yourself and reclaim your own story. You do not need to think of yourself as a writer to take part, and your baby is welcome alongside you.

Who it is for

The group is open to anyone who self-identifies with mothering or motherhood, whatever that looks like, and all stories, experiences and identities are welcome. One participant described it as "the first experience I've had where I felt truly seen", which captures the spirit better than a description of the format ever could.

Joining in Heaton

The Heaton circle meets on Mondays at 1b Books, the warm, dog-friendly bookshop opened in 2024 by Mandy and Kate, which has quickly become a neighbourhood fixture for book groups and readings. The autumn term runs from mid-September to late October 2026, and a free taster session is available if you would like to try before you commit.

You can see the current dates and book your place on the MotherFolk writing circle page.