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

External candidates must be eligible for one of Access to Industry's services. 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. Future dates TBC. NOT CURRENTLY RECRUITING.

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

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Case Study – John*

Published: May 4, 2026

John* has been supported by our Passport CashBack service – a National Service for young people in custody which supports them into further education, training and employability prior to liberation.

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