Whitley Bay Circle Autumn Term

When you step through the door at the bound Bookshop, the first thing you notice is the tantalising smell of new books! Our circle gathers in a secret sunlit room upstairs, where you can hunker down into a sofa as you write. This is one of our most peaceful circle spots – the kind of space where you feel yourself exhale when you land. 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 MotherFolk circle before committing to booking 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 8 Sept · 10:00 – 11:15 · £12.00

Tuesday Morning

10:00 – 11:15

£72.00

6 weeks · £12.00/session

Wk	Date	Time
1	Tue 15 Sept	10:00 – 11:15
2	Tue 22 Sept	10:00 – 11:15
3	Tue 29 Sept	10:00 – 11:15
4	Tue 6 Oct	10:00 – 11:15
5	Tue 13 Oct	10:00 – 11:15
6	Tue 20 Oct	10:00 – 11:15

Book now →

Taster session

Tue 8 Sept · 10:00 – 11:15

£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 Lily Howes trading as MotherFolk North Tyneside. 3 Heaton Grove, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE6 5NN

Access

We’re committed to making MotherFolk spaces as accessible and welcoming as possible. Most of our venues are fully wheelchair accessible. Our Whitley Bay circle happens in their upstairs room, which unfortunately does not have step-free access. There is a room where you can leave your pram downstairs. If you have access needs of any kind, please let us know on the form when booking. We're always happy to move a session to an accessible venue whenever possible, or to discuss alternative arrangements so you can take part fully. We do also run another circle in North Tyneside – at The Exchange in North Shields – which is fully accessible.

About the host

Hi, I'm Lily

I run MotherFolk North Tyneside

Originally from London, I spent five years living in Amsterdam, where I gave birth to my first son. Far from family, my matrescence was marked by loneliness and a total loss of confidence and identity.

When my second son arrived, I had relocated to the North East to be near my family, yet that familiar isolation crept back in. I craved connection but found only superficial small talk and left baby groups feeling hollow. That was until I joined my first MotherFolk writing circle. There, I felt seen, welcome and held.

Now, I’m looking forward to holding space for mothers in North Tyneside. One where their shoulders drop as they walk in. Where they can exhale that long breath they might not have even realised they were holding. Where they know that a warm welcome, connection, understanding – and zero judgement or expectation – await.

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.