Sunderland Autumn Term

Culture House serves as a vital community anchor and modern creative sanctuary designed to empower voices through storytelling. Located in a brand new, stunning building, this vibrant space features a welcoming café, beautifully curated art spaces, and the city’s most energetic, immersive children’s library. By aligning its inclusive, creative mission with the grassroots ethos of MotherFolk, the hub naturally transforms into an oasis for mother's to come together to reflect and let their feelings flow through writing. Our Writing Circles are weekly mother & baby groups, using writing & community in beautiful settings to support the transition into motherhood. The circles are open to anyone who self-identities with mothering or motherhood, whatever way that looks.

Taster session

Experience the magic of a writing circle before committing to a whole term. Please note: Buying a taster session doesn't automatically hold you a place on the current term - if the term you've tried is already full by the time you come to book, we can't guarantee a spot. If that happens, you won't lose out: we'll guarantee you a place on the following term instead.

Tue 15 Sept · 11:00 – 12:15 · £12.00

Tuesday Morning

11:00 – 12:15

£60.00

5 weeks · £12.00/session

Wk	Date	Time
1	Tue 22 Sept	11:00 – 12:15
2	Tue 29 Sept	11:00 – 12:15
3	Tue 6 Oct	11:00 – 12:15
4	Tue 13 Oct	11:00 – 12:15
5	Tue 20 Oct	11:00 – 12:15

Book now →

Taster session

Tue 15 Sept · 11:00 – 12:15

£12.00

One session · come and experience the circle before committing

Book taster only Book taster + circle →

This circle is independently owned and operated by Alexandra Hughes trading as MotherFolk Gateshead & Sunderland. 3 Heaton Grove, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE6 5NN

Access

There is step-free access and baby-changing facilities.

About the host

Hello, I'm Alex

Circle Holder for Gateshead & Sunderland

I am a mum to two young kids. I am also a practicing visual artist and art educator. To borrow some words, I am "dancing to a tune of radiant exhaustion" (Jade Montserrat, 2015).

My path to becoming a circle holder began when I first attended MotherFolk circles. Arriving as a mother feeling it all, I was amazed by the natural, soft power of sitting with women in a circle - a space where every voice belongs and every story shares equal weight. In this, I experienced the immense relief of writing about life as a woman in flux.

Just naming what it feels like to be a mother - whether you keep it to yourself or share it with others - can change things. It can repair you, unlock creativity, and deepen connections. I hope to offer you a safe space to process who you are today - honouring what has been, what is, and what is yet to come.

In my circles, you can show up exactly as you are.

I look forward to meeting you!

Frequently asked questions

Absolutely not! Our circles are not writing classes, and they’re not about producing perfect pieces of writing. Writing is simply the tool we use to connect with ourselves and unpack our experiences a little bit. We will always give you very easy prompts to jump into, and you will never be asked to read your writing aloud to the group.