Sgwennu’n Well | Writing Well is a professional development programme with aftercare support for 10 early to mid-career facilitators to develop the skills and knowledge of facilitators specifically in the field of Health and Well-being.
The programme has two options:
Option 1
- 5 virtual training sessions featuring experienced facilitators and experts on arts for health and well-being (November 2026 – January 2027) Sessions will cover Safeguarding, Project Planning, Creative Evaluation, Fundraising and more.
- 1 in-person weekend retreat led by clare e. potter and Iola Ynyr at Tŷ Newydd Writing Centre (26-28 February 2027)
- Tailored support. There are many options for this tailored support. For instance, it may take the form of mentoring sessions with a creative friend, or an opportunity to shadow a creative facilitator. This part of the programme will be discussed with successful applicants so that we can offer the best options based on their needs and aims.
There are 5 spaces available for Option 1. This option may appeal to you if you are a literary facilitator already running community projects, or working in organisations such as libraries, charities, Local Authorities, Housing Associations, and wish to increase your knowledge and skills in delivering workshops specifically around health & well-being. It is also suitable for those who have limited practical experience and would like to shadow another writer or be supported to devise a project that you would like to run in the future.
Option 2
- 5 virtual training sessions featuring experienced facilitators and experts on arts for health and well-being (November 2026 – January 2027)
- 1 in-person weekend retreat led by clare e. potter and Iola Ynyr at Tŷ Newydd Writing Centre (26-28 February 2027)
- A pot of £3,000 to develop, deliver and evaluate a facilitation project (to be completed by December 2027)
- 3 sessions with a mentor / creative friend
- Support to evaluate and document your project
There are 5 spaces available for Option 2. This option may appeal to you if you are an early career facilitator who has some experience of facilitation and have a specific project idea in mind that you would like to pilot. The project will be run in partnership with a local organisation with the aim of supporting the Health and Well-being of the participants.
What will successful applicants gain?
The intense training programme will offer opportunities to hone your skills as a literary facilitator. Important topics covered will include safeguarding, access, and inclusion, and we will look at how to develop and plan a facilitation project carefully. This will include managing budgets, fundraising, and how to capture and communicate the impact of your work. The group will also explore the theory and practice of running literature for health and well-being projects for a wide variety of participants in various settings and receive a toolkit to support project planning and delivery. Participants will receive tailored support from Literature Wales.
“It is no exaggeration to say that the experience has been life-changing… Under the generous, sensitive mentorship of clare e. potter, and thanks to a platform of experts, the unfailing support of Louise and Mared at Literature Wales and a fantastic group of carers who wanted to write about nature, I am finding a new path.
For the longest time, I’ve felt a desire to work with people…but my life circumstances meant that a change of career was always beyond my reach. At age 50, I was unsure if I’d ever get that opportunity. At 51, I am striding the path. Diolch.”
Tracey Rhys, Writing Well Participant
Following the training programme, the 5 Facilitators selected for Option 1 will start their second phase of the programme, which will include time to develop individual project plans using the toolkit and the new skills gained from the training programme. In collaboration with Literature Wales staff, they will identify what other support might be useful, which could include a series of mentoring sessions or shadowing an experienced creative facilitator. The 5 Facilitators selected for Option 2 will go on to deliver the projects they have devised. These pilot projects will be a springboard to offer confidence and insight on how to embark on a career as a literary facilitator in Wales. Literature Wales staff, and experienced mentors will be on hand to help with the development and delivery.
The programme will begin in November 2026 and run until December 2027. There will be a Zoom Q+A session about the programme on Wednesday 16 September 1:00pm-2:00pm. Sign up here.
Eligibility
The programme is open for those over the age of 18 and living in Wales at the time of application and throughout the 12-month programme. Please note that students are not eligible (neither full-time nor part-time).
We are eager to encourage applications from individuals without fair representation in the creative sector, and from applicants who have faced barriers and discrimination due to ethnic background, disability, or experience of a low-income background. In particular, we welcome applications from Black, Asian and minority ethnic individuals, Disabled individuals or those living with long-term health conditions, and individuals from low-income backgrounds. The programme will be delivered bilingually, and up to 50% of the spaces available will be allocated to Welsh-language facilitators.
Applicants for the programme will:
Option One
- Need to fully commit to taking part in all events and activities organised as part of the programme, including the residential weekend at Tŷ Newydd (February 2027).
- Be passionate about the potential of literature and literary activities to support the health and well-being of individuals and communities from within their organisation.
- Have an ambitious vision of how they will use their skills, personal lived experience, and the power of literature to inspire, improve and brighten lives.
Option Two
- Have some experience of running creative writing or literature for health and well-being workshops in schools, communities, or health settings, please expand in your application.
- Need to fully commit to taking part in all events and activities organised as part of the programme, including the residential weekend at Tŷ Newydd (February 2027).
- Be passionate about the potential of literature and literary activities to support the health and well-being of individuals and communities.
- Have an ambitious vision of how they will use their skills, personal lived experience, and the power of literature to inspire, improve and brighten lives.
How to apply?
Read this call-out and the Frequently Asked Questions in detail. Then:
Please fill out this digital application form. A large print and dyslexia-friendly version can also be downloaded. The application form will ask for the following:
- Your personal details
- Details about your experiences as a literary facilitator
- Details about how the training will benefit you as a literary practitioner
- Information about the group(s) or individuals you would like to work with in the future and why.
If filling out a written form is difficult for you, please contact us to discuss alternative ways of applying, for instance submitting a video application.
Complete a writer information form, available here.
If you have any questions before applying, or if you’re eager to organise an informal chat with a member of the Literature Wales team, you are welcome to email post@literaturewales.org or call one of Literature Wales’ offices:
01766 522 811 (Tŷ Newydd) or 029 2047 2266 (Cardiff).
Please note that the deadline to apply is 12.00 noon, Tuesday 6 October 2026
What will happen after applying?
The assessment panel will select a shortlist.
The panel will include external experts in the field of health, well-being, and/or education and staff members from Literature Wales.
All applicants will be informed of the decision by mid-November 2026.