The Word Association

10/06/2026

We're delighted to be part of Healing Arts Brum this year! Come along to our workshop (run in partnership with University of Birmingham) for an afternoon of urban nature exploration, a visit to a beautiful community garden and some gentle guided writing and arts activities. All happening at the wonderful Allens Cross Community Centre

Tickets are free (funded by BISCA) but need to be booked in advance:

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/healing-arts-birmingham-urban-nature-workshop-tickets-1990076946719?aff=oddtdtcreator

Date, Time, Location: Tuesday 23 June, 14:30-17:00, Allens Cross Community Association, 24 Tinkers Farm Rd, Birmingham B31 1RH

We often move through cities and towns without noticing the nature that surrounds us. This workshop explores overlooked forms of urban nature with creative activities for health and wellbeing. Learn from practitioners who work on healing, community, and green spaces, enjoy a self-guided nature walk, and join a multimedia workshop creating stories and art from urban nature found in Birmingham. This event is free to attend, but spaces are limited - please register in advance.

The event is fully accessible.
Teas, coffees and biscuits included.
Free parking available on site or on street.

See Healthy Brum for the rest of this year's programme!

Thanks to Gerard Winter-Hughes for the excellent graphic - based on a photo he took at Allens Cross Community Gardens!

05/06/2026

Join us for our weekly writing hour... next one is Monday at 7pm...

https://wordstolivebypoetspathway.substack.com/p/writing-hour-on-monday-b5b

05/06/2026

Exploring Memory 2026 starts next week, and we're hoping that this year's participants will enjoy it as much as the people who attended in 2025. Some incredible stories came to light, and as with all Word Association courses, they appeared as part of a printed anthology.

If you weren't lucky enough to pick up a copy, you can enjoy them in our online digital version here: https://online.pubhtml5.com/frwd/fynr/

There are still places available on the course, if you're ready to share your story...

The Exploring Memory course gave participants a chance to explore their own stories, and through a series of exercises, to find their voice and a way to start to write. Identifying what mattered, collecting facts and then finding some form of structure on which to hang them formed our basis.

05/06/2026

Are you currently working on a memoir, and would like a space where you can further your work amongst like minded people? ‘Threads’ is a new course for 2026, and is specifically for those who have already started on their autobiographical journey and are looking for a place where they can take it to the next stage.

The course will feature plenty of writing time and space for sharing and discussion, the sessions will use thought provoking materials to kickstart the creative process. Participants will be given the chance to share ideas and inspiration, while developing their storytelling. The course will bring theory, prompts and a safe, open forum to share your thoughts and your work.

The course will be lead by Gerard Winter-Hughes, creative director of The Word Association, and the course is open to all.

Participants will have the chance to have work produced included in a printed anthology at the course’s conclusion.

The course will take place at the Hive and run for ten weeks, starting on Friday 12th June at 12.30. It would be great to see you there. Book your place on the link in the comments.

04/06/2026

Only you can write your story. But where would you start? And what would give you the inspiration to actually put pen to paper, put words on the page…?

The Word Association’s ‘Exploring Memory’ is returning for 2026, and if you’ve often thought about writing a memoir, but were unsure of how to take the first step, this course is for you.

Over the ten week course, we will offer a range of exercises to get you thinking about your story, on how to get your ideas and memories onto the page, and on how to discover your inner investigative journalist to tease out a vibrant record from even the darkest corners of your memory.

The course will feature plenty of writing time and space for sharing and discussion, the sessions will use thought provoking materials to kickstart the creative process. Participants will be given the chance to share ideas and inspiration, while developing their storytelling. The course will bring theory, prompts and a safe, open forum to share your thoughts and your work.

Work created on the course will feature in a printed anthology.

The course starts on Friday 12th June at the Hive. To book your place, follow the link in the comments.

26/05/2026

New for 2026, Threads is the next step on your autobiographical journey. The course will use a variety of devices to help you develop your memoir writing, and provide a safe, nurturing space for you to explore and create.

26/05/2026

Following last year's success, Exploring Memory is back! This ten week course is an introduction to memoir writing, and aims to get you to start writing - whether that's your first line, first paragraph or your first chapter...

(For those who attended last year's course, we may have something to interest you - stay tuned....)

26/05/2026

We're delighted to be involved with this year's Healing Arts Birmingham Festival (Healthy Brum)

Our event is run in partnership with the Imagining Wellbeing strand of University of Birmingham's Centre for Urban Herefordshire and Worcestershire Wellbeing and Recovery College

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Come along and create with us on June 23rd 2.30-5pm...

Discover Birmingham's overlooked urban nature in this creative workshop at Allens Cross Community Centre

We often move through cities and towns without noticing the nature that surrounds us. This workshop explores overlooked forms of urban nature with creative activities for health and wellbeing. Learn from practitioners who work on healing, community, and green spaces, enjoy a self-guided nature walk, and join a multimedia workshop creating stories and art from urban nature found in Birmingham.

This event is free to attend, but spaces are limited - please register in advance.

https://urban-nature-healing-arts-birmingham.eventbrite.co.uk

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The whole programme is supported by Birmingham City Council Jameel Arts & Health Lab and World Health Organization (WHO)

Discover Birmingham's overlooked urban nature in this creative workshop

26/05/2026

Wonderful things happening in Birmingham this June.