The Belfast Writers Group was founded by Queen’s University alumnus Rose Winter, this year and has taken up its permanent position at 2 Royal Avenue. “The group is open to anyone and everyone, so if you’ve been looking for a dedicated time and space to work on your writing and let your creativity flourish, feel free to come along!” Rose says. “When I set up the writer’s group in January, one of the main things I wanted to achieve was to create a space where people could come together and gain confidence that they belong in a creative community, no matter what they are working on or how experienced they are.
” The group holds weekly meetings on Wednesdays from 4-6.30pm and is dedicated to bringing together writers of all levels to share their passion and inspire each other. Everyone is welcome to join.
The participants have no pressure to be professional writers or prefer a specific style of writing. It’s an inclusive space where anyone with a passion for writing can come together, regardless of what type and genre of writing you are interested in. The group is backed by the Belfast City Council and since its inception, has been involved in several artistic events including Independent Bookshop Week.
“Belfast is a city bursting with creativity,” says Rose. “We will continue to meet weekly over the upcoming months, with weekly writing sessions at 2 Royal Avenue. We also have some exciting events planned.
“It has been a real pleasure to see the growing interest in the group since I started it in January. We have hosted events in collaboration with arts festivals and given people a dedicated time and space to work on their writing away from the pressures of the rest of their busy week. “I’ve been really impressed with the level of interest and engagement we’ve had in the group, from people just getting started with their first writing sessions to people using the space and community to get support on larger projects like editing novels and screenplays “One of the key things I wanted to achieve by starting this group is creating a situation where a sense of community can grow no matter people’s experiences or goals, and seeing this bloom has been a real highlight for me,” Rose adds.
The Belfast Writers Group is for writers of all levels. Rose’s vision to create a hub for free expression has provided a supportive environment where individuals can share ideas and grow without deadlines or professional pressures. This has been reflected in the positive feedback.
The weekly Wednesday meetings can inspire and encourage friendships and collaborations, while community events and festivals highlight the group’s commitment to integrating creativity with themes such as mental health. The group’s involvement in various community events and festivals highlights its commitment to integrating creativity with broader societal themes, such as mental health and lifelong learning. By offering workshops and participating in festivals, the Belfast Writers Group underscores the therapeutic and transformative power of writing.
The Belfast Writers Group is a vibrant hub of creativity and community in the heart of the city. It’s a welcoming space for writers of all backgrounds. Whether you want to improve your skills, meet like-minded individuals, or simply enjoy the creative process, this group offers an enriching experience.
If you’re in Belfast and love writing, join this dynamic community and let your creativity flourish. “Writing is often a pretty solitary activity, and by setting up the Belfast Writers Group, Rose has carved out space for it to be a more social affair,” says participant Jasmin Awoodun. “It’s great to have an hour and a half each week to get out of the house and dedicate to writing.
’’ Jasmin currently studies at Queen’s University where she is working towards her Master’s Degree in Creative Writing. “I’ve enjoyed meeting other writers who I might never have come into contact with otherwise, from all sorts of walks of life and who write all kinds of different things,” she says. “Sometimes we might get into a groove and sit writing quietly, other times we might chat or bounce ideas off one another, but either way it’s always nice to be around people who share your love for words.
” For more or to get involved, you can email Belfast Writers Group at [email protected].
