Mother and Baby Writing Circles at The Exchange, North Shields

Early motherhood can be one of the loveliest and loneliest stretches of life at the same time. A group called MotherFolk sets out to soften that transition, and this autumn it is running a weekly mother and baby writing circle in North Shields, at The Exchange 1856 on Howard 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 North Shields

The North Shields circle meets on Mondays at The Exchange 1856, the restored former corn exchange on pedestrianised Howard Street that has become a cornerstone of the town's cultural quarter. 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.