Plot Lines

Led by artists and writers, and using the power of storytelling and words to connect people, Plot Lines aims to gather, listen to and share your stories and anecdotes from living in and near Waterlooville.

We’ll be offering free workshops and events from April 2025 and also providing informal opportunities to meet with our Plot Lines writer in residence Aoife Mannix. Aoife is an award winning poet and writer who is keen to chat with local residents about their personal experiences of moving to the area, their feelings about home, their memories, and their dreams for the future.

Upcoming events:

Talking Creatures: Peace & War
30 October 2025, 12-2pm
Christ Church, Portsdown
Through drawing and writing, we’ll imagine peace and conflict as creatures — exploring what they might look like, and what they would say to one another. This workshop is about creativity, empathy, and solidarity — an invitation to think about peace in new and imaginative ways. All ages are welcome and we will provide all materials, feel free to drop in anytime and take part.

Spooky Story Snake
30 October 2025, 2.30–4.30pm
Newlands Community Hall
Do you want to try something spooky and new for Halloween this year? Join the Plot Lines writers at Newlands Community Hall to build a spooky story together for the area! Loosely using the form of the ever popular rock snake we will be painting words on rocks and building a spooky story which will trail from Newlands Community Hall outside into the local area. Bring all your most terrifying ideas and scariest words to this free drop-in event. All the materials will be provided however you are also welcome to bring your own rocks to write on and add to the snake! All ages welcome, no previous writing experience is necessary.

Seeds of Change – writing inspired by nature
1 November 2025, 2.30–4.30pm
Waterlooville Library
Join Plot Lines writer Anna Jones to grow your own nature inspired poems and creative writing as part of Green Libraries Week. This workshop is ideal for young people aged 11-15 years. Drop by at any point to take part, all are welcome and no previous writing experience is required. We will provide all the materials needed.

Some frequently asked questions:

Do I need creative writing experience to take part in the workshops?
Not at all! The workshops are open to everyone, whether you’re a complete beginner or have been writing for years. If you’re simply curious you’re very welcome to come along. The project is just as much about listening to stories as it is about writing them – you don’t need to be a writer to have a great tale to share, and you’re just as welcome to join in as a listener.

Who can take part?
Anyone is welcome! Whether you live locally, have a connection to the area, or are just interested in creative projects, we’d love to have you involved.

I want to put on my own creative event in the area and/or be more involved in what’s going on and I’ve some great ideas I’d like to share. Can you help with that?
Gail Howard, our community facilitator, is available to speak to people who are interested in putting on events in the future. Please get in touch and tell us about your idea!

I’m interested in taking part but I’m not into writing, will you be doing other events?
Yes! You don’t have to attend a workshop to take part. We will have talks from Aoife Mannix as well as more informal events you are welcome to come along to. Please get in touch with Gail if you’d like to be more involved.

Will events be accessible?
We’re committed to making our events as inclusive as possible. If you have any specific access needs, please let us know and we’ll do our best to accommodate.

How is the programme funded?
The programme is funded by a developer’s contribution which was agreed as part of the planning permission for West Waterlooville via Winchester City Council. The Agreement states that the contribution has to be spent on art.

Who is involved in the project?
Studio Response are leading on the project. Also involved as part of the team are Artful Scribe, SOUP design studio as well as our fantastic writers, assistant workshop facilitators, evaluators and community facilitator.
We will also be linking up with local creative organisations and community groups in the area. Please get in touch if you’d like to be involved.

If you have questions please email us at: [email protected]

Or you can call or message Gail Howard, our Community Facilitator: 07930 397982

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