What to expect
As neurodivergent people we often have amazing imaginations, creating fantastic worlds, characters and stories in our minds.
In Creative Writing Club meet others with amazing imaginations. Get to know each other through fun quizzes and share your writing (if youโre comfortable). Learn world-building, story-telling and writing tips from Mekkin, our in-house transmedia story-teller and writer!
Between meet-ups, get to know other story-obsessed Uncommoners in our online community, and take part in creative community challenges.
๐ฎ Meet like-minded story-tellers, be yourself and share your passions
๐ก Join club challenges and share stories, characters and worlds
๐งโโ๏ธ Enjoy a low-demand club space, perfect for burnout, anxious or PDA creatives
๐ Feel inspired and supported by neurodivergent club leaders and creatives
How meet-ups work
We host 4-12 club members in each session. All sessions are run on Zoom, with participants welcome to have cameras off or on, to watch, message or talk. We often use anonymous chat and quiz tool Slido so everyone takes part in the same communication style, and to reduce demands for anxious or PDA members.
To start each session weโll play a small quiz or game in Slido. Weโll then chat about what weโve been writing or making. Before using creative prompts and games to explore a creative theme to help us develop our writing ideas.
At the end of each session we often talk about what we might like to do next week!
Our Online Community
All regular club subscribers have FREE access to our online community. There you can stay in touch with club members between sessions, join community challenges, chat about your favourite interests, and join free community events.
The community is a space where you can:
connect safely online, supported by Uncommon community moderators
find new friends, and explore your interests with peers
get inspired by community leaders, challenges and events
build confidence in being uniquely you, in a neuro-affirming space
To learn more about the community click here.
What you'll need
A tablet, laptop or phone with Zoom installed
A cosy spot and your favourite fidgets or snacks so you can enjoy session.
If you love to doodle feel free to have drawing things to hand!
If you subscribe to club and want to join the online community, youโll access this through a laptop/desktop browser or by downloading the Heartbeat app on tablet or phone
Meet your session leader
Mekkin is our resident Uncommon artist and storyteller. She loves dragons, the colour purple, and using her neurodivergent mind to create magical new worlds to explore. Thereโs only one thing thatโs more fun for Mekkin than creating, and thatโs creating together with other brilliant neurodivergent brains!
Prices & Booking FAQs
Group Size:ย 6-12
When:ย Term-time
3 x 12 week blocks with no break for half terms
Autumn: w/b 16th Sept-6th Dec
Spring: w/b 6th Jan-28th Mar
Summer: w/b 21st Apr-11th Jul
Price:ย Taster ยฃ10 I Drop-in ยฃ15 I Subscription ยฃ40/month
Try a ยฃ10 taster session, book into any club session using code WRITING-TASTER-10
Subscribe* for ยฃ40/month and receive 4 session credits each month, redeemable against Creative Writing and community sessions**. Enjoy free online community access. Unused credits roll-over to the following month.
Cancel your subscription at any time. * For a list of community sessions included in monthly subscriptions see FAQs
How to book: Creative Writing Club is always open to new members and you can book a taster, drop-in or start your monthly subscription instantly using links below.
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What free events can i access in the community?We are thrilled to announce our exciting lineup of free summer events designed to inspire, engage, and connect neurodivergent kids and teens. These free sessions can help your child to explore new interests, meet peers, and be part of a supportive community. Hereโs a sneak peek at what we have in store: Every Tuesday from 4:15-5 PM: Role Model Sessions Join us every Tuesday for our inspiring Uncommon Journeys series, where successful neurodivergent young adults share their stories and experiences. These sessions are designed to empower and motivate your child by highlighting how others have embraced their differences, overcome challenges, found their passions, and turned their strengths into success. Every Wednesday from 4:15-5 PM: Taster Sessions Our Taster Sessions are a fantastic way for your child to try out different clubs and courses we offer at Uncommon Mindsโfor free! Each session provides a taste of the fun and learning they can expect from our full offerings. Itโs a perfect opportunity to explore new interests, meet new friends, and experience the vibrant activities we provide. Every Thursday from 4:15-5 PM: โGet Creativeโ Socials Thursday is all about creativity and connection with our โGet Creativeโ Socials. These sessions include: Movie Nights: Watch a film together and engage in lively discussions afterward. Book Discussions: Share and discuss favorite book series or explore specific genres. Creative Workshops: Participate in hands-on creative sessions led by our inspiring role models, session leaders, or talented members.!
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How do i signup?The community is a secure space, so to signup to a monthly subscription and join the community youโll need to go through a 4-step process where we gather the information we need for safeguarding purposes and complete a verification call. This can take 1-5 days, depending mainly on how quickly the verification call is complete. You can start this process click the link below which will take you to step 1 of this 4-step process. Step 1: Tell us what club youโd like to subscribe to Step 2: Share your personal details and i.d we need for safeguarding Step 3: Complete a video verification call Step 4: Pay for your subscription and join the community space
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What is the Uncommon Community?The Uncommon Community is our new online space for kids to belong and a safe place to have fun. From July all Club members signing up to a monthly subscription will get FREE access to the Uncommon Community. The Uncommon Community has two types of spaces. Open spaces which are accessible to all, and closed private spaces for clubs, courses and camps. ๐ In private spaces youโre be able to: Join weekly club meetups Chat with clubmates Take part in club polls and quizzes Access club resources Contact club leaders Join private servers and voice channels (gaming clubs only) Whilst in open community spaces youโll be able to access: ๐ Free events: Role Model Talks: Led by inspiring neurodivergent young adults Creative workshops: From creative writing, to world building Taster Sessions: A chance to explore and try our various clubs Socials: Casual meetups, such as film nights and book club Peer-Led Sessions: Led by fellow community members ๐ฌ Social and creative spaces: Community Chat: For regular updates and announcements Community Challenges: Fun and engaging monthly challenges Creative Work Sharing: Showcasing member's creative work Polls and Discussions: On topics from passions to ND life ๐ Extra resources: Member Spotlights: Highlighting achievements and stories of our members, and celebrating challenge winners Resource Space: Access to a collection of helpful and fun videos ๐จโ๐งโ๐ฆ Parent space: Parent Chat: To connect, share, and support one-another Parent Resources: To support parents in their journey The Uncommon newsletter: See community highlights and celebrate our brilliant Uncommon members
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How do we keep kids safe in the community?We're committed to making the Uncommon community a safe and secure space. Where you can relax in the knowledge that your young people are able to make friends, and have fun without the risks associated with unsupported online spaces. That's why we: Require all community members to go through a member verification process, so we know exactly who's in the community Have a team of experienced neurodivergent community moderators able to support our community members Have created private club, course and camp spaces in the community, so that t(w)eens can build friendships in small supportive spaces, overseen by club leaders Run regular meetups for our club, course and camp members, all led by experienced neurodivergent facilitators who provide the structure and support that our young people sometimes need to build their confidence or help them find friendships Don't allow private messaging between young people, but instead create small chat spaces where young people know each other and feel safe talking openly Require members to subscribe to the community, so that young people can build friendships knowing that their new friends will regularly return to the community space Have our Uncommon Community Code of Conduct which guides how Uncommon, our Uncommoners and their parents should be kind, be safe and be respectful in the community
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What's in my club space on the community?Through your club space in the community you can: Join your weekly club meet-ups led by ND facilitators Access our club guide, including all the information you need to get setup Stay up to date with club news and challenges on our club message board where weโll set challenges, announce what weโll do in sessions, and you can vote on what youโd like to do/play each week Chat to clubmates in our private chat channel Watch tutorials and access to club resources in our club resource space Catch up club sessions from previous weeks by watching session videos (excluding gaming clubs) And for gaming club members we provide access to: Uncommon private servers, so you can your t(w)eens can game in a secure child-only space Access our private voice channels so you child can chat safely game with clubmates as they take on their next gaming adventure
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How much does it cost?Our community operates on a subscription model. There are 3 ways to get access to the community. ๐ฅฐ Community subscription: Pay ยฃ25 per month and get full access to community features and free events. ๐ Course or camp enrolment: Sign up to any of our courses or Summer camps and youโll get FREE access to the community for the duration of your course or Summer Camp. Plus access to your private course or camp space. Follow these links to sign up for camps or courses. ๐ฅณ Club Subscription: Sign up to any monthly club subscription and get FREE access to the Uncommon Community. Plus access to your private club space. Clubs range from ยฃ40-90/month. Learn more about club subscription prices by following the link below. Follow this link to learn more about subscription prices and to start your signup process.
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Why join the Community?๐ง๐ผ For Kids A safe space to unwind, have fun, and recharge Opportunities to discover new interests, build leadership skills, and connect with peers A supportive environment that celebrates individual strengths and fosters personal growth ๐งโ๐คโ๐ง For Parents: Peace of mind knowing your child is in a neuro-affirming environment Transparent communication and regular updates on community activities Resources to help you reinforce what your child learns and support their well-being Join us and become part of a community that values and supports neurodivergent kids and their families. Together, we can create a space where everyone feels valued, included, and empowered to be their best selves.
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Enhanced Self-EsteemKnowledge is power. By understanding their unique strengths and challenges, teens build self-awareness and confidence.
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Knowledge EmpowersArmed with knowledge, teens can navigate their world more confidently, make informed decisions about their lives, and gain control and autonomy.
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Reduced AnxietyImprovded understanding of neurodivergent traits can help teens navigate daily life, social interactions and academic challenges, and become less anxious.
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Validation and UnderstandingEngaging with peers with similar challenges validates teens experiences, creates a sense of camaraderie and reducing feelings of isolation.
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Increased Self-AcceptanceBeing in a space with similar peers helps teens embrace their unique identities with pride, leading to increased self-acceptance and resilience.
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Improved Social ConfidenceInteracting with supportive peers helps teens develop their own unique approach to friendships and communication and builds social confidence.
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๐ Session 4: Sensory DifferencesYoung people explore how they take in and process sensory information, and what that means about their own unique needs and preferences, and how they can adopt tools and techniques to feel more comfortable in educational and social environments and out-and-about. For ages 8-13 we start to think about our internal senses and how improving awareness of our internal senses can help us manage our wellbeing. For ages 13-18 we look in depth at how to strengthen our interoception, how to understand auditory processing differences and itimpact on school and friendships, and how we can 'design our day' to ensure we charge our sensory battery.
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๐ Session 3: Managing StressYoung people learn more about the science behind stress and social anxiety, develop a greater awareness of how stress shows up for them, and start to brainstorm what they can do about it.โ For ages 8-13 we use a very light touch approach, raising awareness and focusing on simple strategies they can use to destress. For ages 13-18 we look at the neuroscience behind stress and how we can try 'brain hacks' that put our brains back into rest and relax mode.
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๐๐ผ Session 1: Building confidenceOur introductory session encourages young people to explore the positive aspects of their neurodivergence and identify their own unique strengths.
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โฐ Session 5: Understanding Executive FunctioningThis session explores the differences in neurodivergent young peopleโs ability to plan, organise, start tasks, transition tasks, emotionally regulate and track time. We then explore how to find unique solutions that work for us, and talk about how we can talk to friends and family about our needs.
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๐ฌ Session 2: Navigating FriendshipsThis session encourages young people to think about what makes a good friend, focusing on the huge strengths that our neurodivergent traits can bring. For ages 8-13 we explore the different ways we can show our friends that we care and how we can let our friends know what makes us feel cared for. For ages 13-18 we explore rejection sensitivity and how friendships and communication styles might look different for us.
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๐ข Session 6: Communicating My NeedsOur final session encourages young people to take everything theyโve learned about their own needs and preferences, and gives them the communication tools to more effectively advocate for themselves.
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Can I change or cancel my booking?Yes, you can rebook your session using the links in your confirmation email. We understand that life can be unpredictable and that young people will sometimes be unable to attend sessions if they've had a difficult day. If you can't attend a session then you can use links in your confirmation email to rebook your session. No explanation needed. If your child finds that the course isn't right for them at this time, then we can offer vouchers towards alternative lower-demand sessions, or a gift card for you to pass on to others.
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Don't see dates or times that work for you?Sign up to our mailing list and we'll be releasing more dates on other weeknights, and holiday intensives too.
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What sessions should I book?We recommend signing up for the full six week course, which covers all the topics young people need a grasp of to understand their unique brains. Or you can pick and mix sessions that fit your needs.
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Signing up for a Holiday Course?Book the appropriate holiday course package listed below under 'buy now' and then book onto the 6 sessions of your holiday course.
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Can't find session dates or times that work for you?Leave a message for us in the chat function telling us what course or club you're interested in, and on what day(s) and we'll let you know when we release more dates.
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Can i change or cancel my booking?We understand that life can be unpredictable and that young people will sometimes be unable to attend sessions if they've had a difficult day. Clubs If your child can't attend a taster or drop-in session, we are happy to rebook you onto an alternative date For club subscribers, if we you're unable to make your normal session and there are alternative sessions that week week, we will offer you space on a different club day if available If your child finds the club isnโt the right fit, or its not the right time for them to join, then you can cancel your club membership subscription at any time Courses or Camps If your child is unable to attend class on a given day, weโll share the session recording with you, so you can watch it at a time that works better for them Where possible weโll also offer you the chance to attend that session on an alternative date (subject to availability) If your child finds that the course isn't right for them at this time, then we can offer vouchers towards alternative lower-demand sessions, or a gift card for you to pass on to others.
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Can i use my multi-session pass?From August 1st we'll be discontinuing Multi-Session Passes. Weโll review everyoneโs accounts and send you a coupon code for the value of any remaining multi-pass credits which you can use against any club subscription, course or camp.
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How do subscriptions work?From August 1st our community and many of our clubs will operate on a monthly subscription. Subscriptions are payable in advance, on a monthly rolling basis You can cancel your subscription at any time through our community platform Once your subscription has ended youโll no longer be able to access the community or weekly club meet-ups However your profile will remain active, and you can rejoin the community at any time by subscribing to a new club, or to the community itself
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Do you offer discounts or payment plans?We offer a 30% discount on course, camp and club prices for families on Universal Credit. We are also able to offer this discount to families on legacy means tested benefits. Please complete this form, and we'll send you your family discount code! We can also offer payment plans for camps, courses and fixed-term clubs to spread the cost of payments over a 2-3 month period. Please email the team on hello@uncommonminds.co.uk for more details.
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How do your taster sessions work?Where possible we offer ยฃ10 taster sessions. Parents are welcome to join taster sessions, and young people can choose to take part and interact or just watch and listen. For clubs accepting members on a rolling basis, tasters are bookable on the club page, and prospective club members join our regular club meet-ups. For clubs where capacity is limited we ask parents to fill in a taster request form. We then allocate you a taster session date, so that we can let existing club members know in advance of new joiners. For courses or fixed term clubs we run taster sessions ahead of course/club start dates, bookable on course/club pages.
What families say
"'D' engaged really well once the instructors got his imagination going. Today he felt confident enough to share his work - major progress!" ๐๐๐๐๐
"My child doesn't always cope well with things like classes as she finds the instruction hard. She really enjoyed this though as she wasn't being told what to do." ๐๐๐๐๐
"'M' has acute anxiety and the positive environment was really positive for her" ๐๐๐๐๐