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My regular newsletter will be going out in the nex

My regular newsletter will be going out in the next few days.

If you’re not already a subscriber, I’d love to welcome you. (If you do get the newsletter, thank you so much. )

Each month, I gather together resources and info which I hope might be helpful - especially if you are a parent or work with teenagers.

There’ll always be some book news and some behind-the-scenes stuff to. Plus a bit of fun as well.

Subscribing to the newsletter also gets you a discount on our programmes and sessions.

You can follow the link in our bio or copy and paste this link into your browser: http://eepurl.com/dtGZ65

I’d also be more than happy to add you to the mailing list manually if you’d like to pop me a DM with your email.

Thank you. And hope to be in touch soon.

#creativementor #youthmentor #creativecheerleader #teenagesupport #writingsupport #teenmentalhealth #teenwellbeing #introvertlife #positivewellbeing #womenwhodo #mumofteens #creativemums #mentalhealthforteens #parentingtweens #tweensandteens #tweensread #tweenslibrary #creativeteens #teenreads #welovebooks #parentingforteensandtweens #creatingboldly #calmandquiet

Last week I had a photoshoot with @jennysmithphoto

Last week I had a photoshoot with @jennysmithphoto and not only had the very best time, but I’m delighted with the results.

If you’ve been around for some time, you’ll know that Inkpots is celebrating 10 wonderful years this year. But in that time, my work has changed and so have I. In a sense, Inkpots is growing up too so the next few months will also be a period of transition. Most noticeably here, there’ll be a design rebrand which I’m working on with @coppermothdesign (so excited about this).

There’s also been a slow dawning that I need to be more visible too - and part of that process is having some good photos to share. Images that I feel happy to share make that somewhat awkward process for an introvert a lot easier.

So last year I began the search for the right photographer.

In such a noisy space as Instagram, there is endless advice about how small businesses like mine should be marketing itself. But - for once - I listened to my own instincts. As a past publications editor I commissioned countless photographers and loved going on shoots. But somehow I seemed to have forgotten that!

So I went back to basics, did some research, wrote a brief, thought about the messaging and narrowed down my search.

When I saw Jenny’s work I knew immediately that she was the photographer for me.

The shoot itself was a lovely experience and working with Jenny was just the best.

I feel very lucky to have found her and also Charlotte our designer. It’s so good to have so much creativity flowing around - not least that it will flow through to the work I do with young people.

#creativementor #youthmentor #creativecheerleader #teenagesupport #writingsupport #teenmentalhealth #teenwellbeing #introvertlife #positivewellbeing #womenwhodo #mumofteens #creativemums #mentalhealthforteens #parentingtweens #tweensandteens #tweensread #tweenslibrary #creativeteens #teenreads #welovebooks #parentingforteensandtweens #creatingboldly #calmandquiet #womensupportingwomen

I’ve spent the bank holiday working - by choice!

I’ve spent the bank holiday working - by choice! If I’m not away, a BH is always a good, quiet time to do some planning and just general thinking.

And there’s so much to work out just now.

As Inkpots celebrates ten awesome years, I’m also working through how we transition as I now do much more mentoring and training than the creative writing workshops we started with.

I’m thrilled that Charlotte @coppermothdesign is helping me with the new look - and I’ll be using some of her new designs in the coming months. We’ve already got a lovely new colour palette to play with.

Today has also been about dreaming about the wonderful prospects ahead and a fair bit of gazing into space…and just letting creative ideas percolate.

#creativementor #youthmentor #creativecheerleader #teenagesupport #writingsupport #teenmentalhealth #teenwellbeing #introvertlife #positivewellbeing #womenwhodo #mumofteens #creativemums #mentalhealthforteens #parentingtweens #tweensandteens #tweensread #tweenslibrary #creativeteens #teenreads ##parentingforteensandtweens #creatingboldly #calmandquiet #stillswithstories

I have reached a point in the current development

I’ve quiet here over the last few weeks. Behind

I’ve quiet here over the last few weeks. Behind the scenes, there’s an awful lot going on. Changes and ideas for the coming 10th year of Inkpots, arranging author visits, welcoming new students. And hours of mentoring.

But most of all I’ve been thinking and processing.

There’s a whole load of things to sort out as we move into a new iteration of Inkpots. Lots of the time too I’m thinking about the best way to support the young work I work alongside as they navigate this challenging world.

And as I puzzle all this out I realise how much the processing comes in so many different forms. Sometimes it’s done on a good long walk. And at others, it’s connecting with the members of my small but mighty band of supporters to talk through some gnarly issues. I talk out loud too - maybe record my thoughts so I can later listen as I work through the ideas.

Last week I spent some time in a room with a whiteboard and had forgotten how helpful using one of those can be. Quick ideas - out of my brain - onto the board.

Then a few days ago, when I felt almost overwhelmed with lists and mini notes to myself, I pressed pause. I need to re-calibrate and take a breath.

So that’s what I’m doing this weekend. I suspect that some of the thinking on some of the things may be complete. A corner of the jigsaw may be coming together!

Let me know if you have ways of processing your own complex ideas. And have a good weekend whatever you’re doing.

#creativementor #youthmentor #creativecheerleader #teenagesupport #writingsupport #teenmentalhealth #teenwellbeing #introvertlife #positivewellbeing #womenwhodo #mumofteens #creativemums #mentalhealthforteens #parentingtweens #tweensandteens #tweensread #tweenslibrary #creativeteens #teenreads #welovebooks #parentingforteensandtweens #creatingboldly #calmandquiet #weareten #inkpotsatten

A different kind of Monday for me. It’s usually

A different kind of Monday for me.

It’s usually a work from home day, but a long overdue meet up with @joannapoetryy was in the diary. I needed a bit of headspace to do some planning too.

It’s a short journey on the train over the South Downs into Brighton - and time to have a walk by the sea as well as a wander through the Laines.

Plus a lovely catch up time with Joanna. A good day.

#creativementor #youthmentor #creativecheerleader #teenagesupport #writingsupport #teenmentalhealth #teenwellbeing #introvertlife #positivewellbeing #womenwhodo #mumofteens #creativemums #mentalhealthforteens #parentingtweens #tweensandteens #tweensread #tweenslibrary #creativeteens #teenreads #welovebooks #parentingforteensandtweens #creatingboldly #calmandquiet #weareten #inkpotsatten

✨We’re having a giveaway as part of our 10th b

✨We’re having a giveaway as part of our 10th birthday celebrations!✨

You could win a mentoring session with me for a young person age 10 - 16 years.

To enter:
✨Follow @inkpots_mentoring
✨Like this post
✨Tag a friend
✨For an extra entry, share this post on your stories.

The winner will be chosen at random on 24 February 2023 - good luck!

This giveaway is not sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with Instagram. UK entries only.

#creativementor #youthmentor #creativecheerleader #teenagesupport #writingsupport #teenmentalhealth #teenwellbeing #introvertlife #positivewellbeing #womenwhodo #mumofteens #creativemums #mentalhealthforteens #parentingtweens #tweensandteens #tweensread #tweenslibrary #creativeteens #teenreads #welovebooks #parentingforteensandtweens #creatingboldly #calmandquiet #inkpotsatten #weareten

Books and reading are at the very core of what we

Books and reading are at the very core of what we do here at Inkpots. Connecting young people with new books and authors can be a useful tool in navigating the teenage years. There’s always a book waiting to be read. A quiet island in sometimes turbulent seas.

#creativementor #youthmentor #creativecheerleader #teenagesupport #writingsupport #teenmentalhealth #teenwellbeing #introvertlife #positivewellbeing #womenwhodo #mumofteens #creativemums #mentalhealthforteens #parentingtweens #tweensandteens #tweensread #tweenslibrary #creativeteens #teenreads #welovebooks #parentingforteensandtweens #creatingboldly #calmandquiet #inkpotsatten #weareten

The Inkpots newsletter is going out to subscribers

The Inkpots newsletter is going out to subscribers next weekend.

In the course of a month, I collect and curate information about new books, creative and well-being ideas which I think will be helpful for my much-valued subscribers.

If you sign up, you’ll also be the first to know about our free author chats and any special offers. As a subscriber you’ll also get a discount of our programmes.

To sign up, please hop to the link in our bio. Or - probably much easier - drop me a DM with your email, and I can sign you up.

#creativementor #youthmentor #creativecheerleader #teenagesupport #writingsupport #teenmentalhealth #teenwellbeing #introvertlife #positivewellbeing #womenwhodo #mumofteens #creativemums #mentalhealthforteens #parentingtweens #tweensandteens #tweensread #tweenslibrary #creativeteens #teenreads #welovebooks #parentingforteensandtweens #creatingboldly #calmandquiet #inkpotsatten #weareten

Welcome to Inkpots and thanks for following along

Welcome to Inkpots and thanks for following along here.

This year we’re celebrating ten years of Inkpots. There’s been so much fun, creativity and community building over those years. So in the coming months, we’ll be marking all of those achievements with some great activities (and cake!).

Back in 2013, Inkpots ran after school clubs and lunchtime sessions in primary schools in mid Sussex. Over time -and especially since the pandemic - the emphasis has shifted as the needs of young people have changed.

A love of books and creativity is still at the heart of what we do. But the emphasis is much more on the mentoring support I now offer. I did my initial training 18 years ago and have always used the skills within Inkpots. But it’s moved to the forefront in the past three years.

I also focus on the 10 years and above age group now as well.

On these squares and in my stories, I share book news, creative ideas and other well-being tips. There’s news about my mentoring services and details of how to work with me.

The link to more information is in my bio or DM me. I’d love to chat!

#creativementor #youthmentor #creativecheerleader #teenagesupport #writingsupport #teenmentalhealth #teenwellbeing #introvertlife #positivewellbeing #womenwhodo #mumofteens #creativemums #mentalhealthforteens #parentingtweens #tweensandteens #tweensread #tweenslibrary #creativeteens #teenreads #welovebooks #parentingforteensandtweens #creatingboldly #calmandquiet #weareten #inkpotsatten

One of my students asked yesterday what my favouri

One of my students asked yesterday what my favourite part of mentoring is. (Great question!)

My answer was that it’s the bit where we have our first breakthrough. When someone might feel worn down with worry or anxiety is fully in control, it’s hard to see that there might be a way forward. Sometimes, anger can also blot out any positivity.

And then. There’ll be a moment when something clicks or a student has had a better day - and it’s as if the sun has come out from behind a cloud.

Those are the best bits.

#creativementor #youthmentor #creativecheerleader #teenagesupport #writingsupport #teenmentalhealth #teenwellbeing #introvertlife #positivewellbeing #womenwhodo #mumofteens #creativemums #mentalhealthforteens #parentingtweens #tweensandteens #tweensread #tweenslibrary #creativeteens #teenreads #welovebooks #parentingforteensandtweens #creatingboldly #calmandquiet #weareten #inkpotsatten #nicecurtains

Inkpots is ten years old in 2023! Ten years ago,

Inkpots is ten years old in 2023!

Ten years ago, I had just bought the domain name for Inkpots.org and had so many plans. Ten years on, I’m about to start on a while new phase.

Throughout the year, we’ll be sharing celebration plans too. I have some ideas but everything will be discussed with our wonderful members too. More news to come!

#creativementor #youthmentor #creativecheerleader #teenagesupport #writingsupport #teenmentalhealth #teenwellbeing #introvertlife #positivewellbeing #womenwhodo #mumofteens #creativemums #mentalhealthforteens #parentingtweens #tweensandteens #tweensread #tweenslibrary #creativeteens #teenreads #welovebooks #parentingforteensandtweens #creatingboldly #calmandquiet #inkpotsatten #weareten

Happy new year to all you lovely people. I hope 20

Happy new year to all you lovely people. I hope 2023 brings you much joy and happiness. Enjoy this evening if you celebrate. I’ll be curling up with the cat and one of my books. 🧡🧡🧡

#creativementor #youthmentor #creativecheerleader #teenagesupport #writingsupport #teenmentalhealth #teenwellbeing #introvertlife #positivewellbeing #womenwhodo #mumofteens #creativemums #mentalhealthforteens #parentingtweens #tweensandteens #tweensread #tweenslibrary #creativeteens #teenreads #welovebooks #parentingforteensandtweens #creatingboldly #calmandquiet

I love this time between Christmas and the New Yea

I love this time between Christmas and the New Year as it’s when I tend to do a lot of thinking and planning. Ideas have been brewing for a while and this morning I took myself off for a coffee and properly reviewed the past 12 months.

Back home this afternoon, I’ve got the stick-it notes and Sharpies out to plan out some of those ideas for 2023. I’m planning more free sessions, the development of the mentoring programme and some more training opportunities.

Inkpots will also be celebrating 10 years next year - and there’s a whole other plan for activities around that too. Watch out for announcements soon.

#creativementor #youthmentor #creativecheerleader #teenagesupport #writingsupport #teenmentalhealth #teenwellbeing #introvertlife #positivewellbeing #womenwhodo #mumofteens #creativemums #mentalhealthforteens #parentingtweens #tweensandteens #tweensread #tweenslibrary #creativeteens #teenreads #welovebooks #parentingforteensandtweens #creatingboldly #calmandquiet

Happy Christmas! Wishing you all a very lovely day

Happy Christmas! Wishing you all a very lovely day and a special holiday time.⁠
⁠
Gill x⁠
⁠

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