Workshops

Emma delivers workshops in creative writing, life writing and other creative arts in a range of groups and settings. She enjoys enabling others to connect with themselves and find self-expression through creativity. This can have a personal healing element as well as developing participants’ writing, performing and creative skills.
Emma has worked with adults including artists and writers, women’s groups, people with learning disabilities, those in recovery from drugs and alcohol addiction, people with mental health problems, elders with and without dementia, young people, highly educated people and those with little or no writing experience.
Emma delivers one-off workshops or sessional courses on a freelance basis and for organisations. She has worked for Everybody Arts, Hebden Bridge Arts Festival, Calderdale Adult Learning, Calderdale Libraries, the Basement Project Halifax, Halifax Women’s Centre, The Molly and Bill Project and Handmade Parade, amongst others. 
She also delivers workshops alongside performances of her work on associated themes, for example on memory or creating theatre from life experiences. 
Emma is a practicing writer, poet and performer of more than 15 years experience. She undergoes on-going creative professional development. She has qualifications in English, Maths, Creative Arts, Book-binding, Safeguarding, DBS and Level 4 Preparing to Teach in the Lifelong Learning Sector.
Emma completed an MSc in Creative Writing for Therapeutic Purposes at the Metanoia Institute in 2022.
She completed training with the School of Lost Borders in wilderness guiding 2024.
Emma designs and delivers all her own sessions and is willing to discuss any ideas you have. Contact emmadecent@talk21.com.
See below for more details of work previously done and Events for upcoming Workshops. Full CV, references and testimonies available.
 
Halifax Women’s Centre – 2016-2019 (short courses)
  • Reflections – writing & creativity for personal exploration / self-expression
  • Crafty Time – paper crafts, book art and other crafts for relaxation, skills & fun
‘I’m surprised by the thoughts that arise whilst working in this creative environment. It provides me with new perspectives on my life. It has helped me to create poetry and art in new and interesting ways.’
‘I can’t begin to tell you how much I’ve enjoyed every session. I love to continue the work at home. Reflections has given me so much enjoyment.’
 
Molly & Bill 2017-2019
Memory book sessions with elders in residential care plus staff training
‘The residents were living with varying degrees of dementia and Emma was able to work sensitively and intuitively with them in small groups whilst also supporting individuals on a one to one basis… Emma proved to be a caring, calm and responsive facilitator who was able to respond to the challenges of delivering sessions within a care setting.’
Liz North, Molly and Bill Project Co-ordinator

Todmorden 2014-2019 (short courses & days)
  • Creative Life-Writing
  • Women’s Life-Writing
  • Creative Writing Evening Class
  • Writing Project Days
‘Emma was lovely, intelligent, sensitive, calm and inclusive.’
‘It was invaluable to have feedback on the main issues that were slowing me down and the motivation to carry on and make progress.’
‘Supportive and talented tutor.’

Creative Writing in Calderdale Libraries (short courses)
  • Todmorden Library 2016
  • Hebden Bridge Library 2017
  • Brighouse Library 2017
‘Emma creates such a friendly atmosphere, where we all feel so encouraged to imagine, create, write and share. This is a feel-good class that not only promotes well-being but self-confidence and real progress. I have had a tiny thing published since doing this class – all progress – all thanks to this class.’

Making Drama From Life Workshop
  • Todmorden Library 2016
  • Drop The Story Festival 2016
  • Halifax Central Library 2017
‘A fantastic opportunity to gain some incredibly helpful insights, but also to try out some performance ideas in a safe environment. Hugely inspiring. Going away with a much clearer idea of what I want to do, to create my own show.’

Mementoes Workshop – creative life writing from objects
  • Hebden Bridge Arts Festival 2014
  • Todmorden Library 2016
  • Burnley Literature Fest 2017
  • Portico Library Manchester 2017
  • Halifax Central Library 2017
‘Great workshop – focused, fun, thought-provoking, well constructed and delivered.’
‘An amazing, informative and energising workshop. Enjoyed it immensely.’

Calderdale Adult Learning 2015 – 2016 (termly courses)
  • Creative Writing
  • Tell Your Own Story, Creative Crafts – for adults with learning disabilities 
  • English
‘I have really appreciated Emma’s encouragement and the pace of the sessions, both of which have enabled me to achieve a more fluent writing style and habit.’
‘I am more able to develop written work using all the tools and devices we have learnt.’
‘This course has done for me just what I needed – prompting, confidence and encouragement.’

Handmade Parade – 2017
Fly! Creative Writing & walking with young people
Lamplighter – creative art workshops for adults with learning disabilities 

Basement Project, Halifax – 2016
(for those in recovery from drugs and alcohol addiction)
Creative Writing Workshops
Contact emmadecent@talk21.com