Creative Journalling
Exploring Matrescence and M/Otherhood
Weekly and monthly courses are designed for mothers and people who birth, at all stages of pregnancy, motherhood and grandmotherhood. All experiences are welcome.
Using art, writing and discussion, we will explore the history and practice of journalling to promote positive mental health and wellbeing.
Inspired by artists, writers and thinkers, we will explore a range of forms – from collage, drawing, mark making, poetry and creative writing.
The course can provide an outlet for some of the feelings and challenges you might experience both physically and emotionally in pregnancy and parenthood.
We will also hold space for village thinking and discussion around matrescence - the metamorphosis that occurs in m/otherhood, and the current culture we live in.
No experience is needed.
The workshops are adult centred but children are welcome with you.
All art materials are provided, you will just need to bring a journal or you can buy one when you book.
The courses are not suitable for anyone with severe mental health conditions.
Courses are led by experienced arts facilitator, Lizzy Humber, who is passionate about supporting m/others to explore their identity through the arts. She is the founder of Matrescence Festival UK and Australia, M/Others on the Mic, The Daylight Collective and Daylight Sessions.
“I’ve realised that this wasn’t just a fun activity for maternity leave - it became the thing that helped everything else make sense. It gave me a way of making sense of such a profound life transition”
Courses
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Join Lizzy Humber for a 7 week course at Exeter Phoenix
Dates: 7 weeks - 9, 16, 23, 30 September & 7, 14, 21 October 2026
Times: 10am-12noon
The course is designed for mothers and people who birth, at all stages of pregnancy, motherhood and grandmotherhood.
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Join Lizzy Humber for a 3 part-monthly journalling group, this new year at The Baby Room, Exeter.
Dates: 26 September, 24 October, 28 November
Times: 1-3pm
This course is designed for mothers and people who birth, at all stages of pregnancy, motherhood and grandmotherhood.
Fully Booked
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Coming this winter: An online creative journaling course with Lizzy Humber. Time to pause and connect with yourself before the new week begins. Explore creative journalling in a small and supportive group.
Join from anywhere in the world. For people at any stage of their m/otherhood journey.
If you’ve booked to come and you can’t make it, you will still receive a copy of the guide to take part.
No experience is needed. You will need to have some simple art materials and a journal.
Lizzy will also provide prompts and support via an optional WhatsApp group.
Creative Journalling with Lizzy was established in January 2020 supported by Maternal Journal. I have run courses in Exeter at The Baby Room, The Yard Buckfastleigh, The Family Garden, Exeter Phoenix, Becoming Mums Reading and online reaching m/others all over the world. In 2025 I collaborated with psychologist Lauren Beatty to hold a journalling sessions for m/others in Melbourne Australia as part of Matrescence Festival. The courses uses exercises from prompts created by Lizzy Humber and Maternal Journal artists. Each one is unique and designed in response to the group around the table or coming together from their kitchen tables.
Get in touch
Journalling with Lizzy was established in January 2020. We have run courses at The Baby Room, The Yard, The Family Garden, Exeter Phoenix, Becoming Mums Reading and online. The course uses exercises from prompts created by Lizzy Humber, Amy Adkin, Sophie Blinstrub and Maternal Journal commissioned artists.
The programme has previously been supported by M/Others on the Mic, Exeter Council, The National Lottery Community Fund, The Baby Room, Exeter Phoenix, MakeTank, Improbable and Exeter Culture.
