ArtfulScribe presents
Raise Your Voice: A Writing Day for Women
6 June 2026
Event details
ArtfulScribe presents Raise Your Voice: A Writing Day for Women, including workshops, writing practice, networking, and a relaxed open-mic with headliner Laurie Bolger.
Focused on finding, amplifying and honouring women’s voices, this event is open to all those who identify as a woman, or who are non-binary and are comfortable in a space centred on women’s experiences. Hosted by writer-facilitator Joanna Barnard (ArtfulScribe), the day’s sessions include a generative writing workshop with poet and presenter Laurie Bolger, confidence building techniques with speaker coach Liz Garland, time to write, networking, and an opportunity to share your writing and listen to others with an open-mic session to close the day.
We will also be launching What Women Write, a publication gathering women’s voices from across Southampton as part of celebrations of Jane Austen’s 250th birthday, supported by Southampton Forward.
The open mic session is also available to those who are unable to commit to the full day, as well as offering a great chance for audience members to celebrate women in a creative and supportive space, and will include readings from What Women Write.
Agenda
10.00am – 11.45am: Welcome and Workshop 1: Laurie Bolger’s ‘You Do You’
12.00pm – 1.00pm: Workshop 2: Liz Garland’s ‘Communicating with Confidence’
1.00pm – 1.30pm: Lunch
1.30pm – 2.00pm: Have Your Say: Reflections on what people would like from a women’s writing offer in the city
2.00pm – 3.00pm: Guided communal writing time
3.15pm – 5.00pm: Relaxed open mic with Laurie Bolger*
*If you wish to attend the open mic portion only, please arrive by 3pm to register your interest if you would like to read
Venue
GA Studios — Mayflower Studios
Price
Open Mic Only: £5
Duration
Full day including Open Mic approx. 7 hours.
Open Mic approx. 1 hour and 45mins.
Age advice
Recommended age 14+
Under 2s not allowed
About Laurie Bolger
Laurie Bolger is a London-based poet, presenter & founder of The Creative Writing Breakfast Club & Poetry in Pyjamas, both with international acclaim. Laurie’s work has featured across Glastonbury Festival, BBC Global News, Channel 4 and Sky Arts.
Laurie has collaborated with a wide range of arts organisations, charities & global brands including Choose Love, Mind, TATE, The Royal Academy of Arts, YouTube, Google, Nationwide and Small Luxury Hotels of the World.
Laurie has been shortlisted for various awards including Young Poet Laureate for London, The Sylvia Plath Prize, Bridport Prize and Forward Prize, and was awarded The Moth Poetry Prize judged by Nobel Laureate Louise Glück. Her publications include Box Rooms, Makeover, Spin. Her latest full collection, Lady, explores resilience, identity, community and connection.
www.lauriebolger.com | Instagram @lauriebolger_ | X @lauriebolger
