Courses

Cowgate Creative Writing Group

What

Holistic and therapeutic, our Creative Writing course reduces isolation and builds on social skills through working alongside others to practice self-expression in a supportive environment. This face-to-face group gives people the opportunity to participate in trips to venues in central Edinburgh, and benefit from the experience of both Access to Industry staff, students and external facilitators to inspire their writing.

Supporting both creativity and wellbeing, it is not attached to a pre-defined SCQF qualification, instead participants can gain an Adult Achievement Award at SCQF level 4 – allowing them to set goals for their own development, whether in writing or in another aspect of their life they feel the course would enhance.

Championing ‘free writing’, it does not restrict production to a particular writing style, although a variety of trips and facilitators aim to provide a basis for writing each week. Students write in a way they are comfortable, whether prose, poetry, letters, postcards, narrative, dialogue etc. They can also write in their chosen genre.

Who

Participants must be eligible for support with an Access to Industry Service. Contact us, or speak to your Caseworker for more details.

When

The course runs twice yearly for 9 weeks, from January and through the summer. Current dates 20 January-24 March 2026.

Why

Holistic and therapeutic, the group reduces isolation and builds on social skills through working alongside others to practice self-expression in a supportive environment.

Where

Delivered in person, in our Community College (156 Cowgate, EH1 1RP) and various closeby partner venues.

Funding Partners

Historic Environment Scotland
Museums and Galleries Edinburgh
The University of Edinburgh

Latest Case Study

Case Study – Rebecca

Published: December 1, 2025

Upon liberation, Rebecca faced multiple immediate challenges. Being a homeless young female and struggling with addictions and mental health, she was anxious about where she may be housed – sadly, the outcome wasn’t as she had hoped and she was given accommodation in an area she hadn’t wanted to go.

Read Case Study

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PAGE part of Art Walk Projects' Spring Cluster event

Published: March 2, 2026

We're delighted that our PAGE 'Wellbeing Through Photography' group will be part of Art Walk Projects' Spring Cluster series of performances, installations and events celebrating their winter projects. Over the season, the 'Wellbeing Through Photography' students have worked wit...