This workshop offers a gentle opportunity to explore grief through words, nature and observation of your surroundings. The garden provides a space to pause, breathe and reconnect with yourself, with memories of the person you've lost, and with the restorative presence of the natural world. Guided by thoughtful writing prompts inspired by the garden, you'll be invited to notice what surrounds you and allow your reflections to unfold on the page.

No previous writing experience is needed, only a willingness to be present and let your words flow. You'll be welcomed into a compassionate, supportive environment where your experience of grief is held without judgement. There will be opportunities to share your writing with the group if you wish, but there is never any expectation or pressure to do so.

Come as you are, and discover how writing, alongside the restorative presence of the garden, can offer moments of connection, reflection and gentle healing.

The workshop will take place from 10.00am–1.00pm at The Grief Garden, with a shared lunch included. If you'd like to spend more time in the garden afterwards, you're warmly invited to stay for our gardening session from 1.00–3.00pm.

This project is part of the Seasons of Culture Programme funded by West Yorkshire Combined Authority and Leeds City Council through the Leeds Cultural Investment Programme.

This event is part of our autumn programme, The Grief Garden: An Invitation to Artists, funded by Leeds City Council and the West Yorkshire Combined Authority through the Seasons of Culture programme, supporting projects that encourage communities to connect with nature through creative practice. The programme explores themes of grief and loss through artist-led creative experiences in a supportive community setting. You're welcome to participate in whatever way feels comfortable, and you're free to step away at any time.

Artist Bio: Charlie Bingham is an author whose writing explores the connection between nature, history and the ways the natural world can help us through life's challenges. Her first book, The Life Affirming Magic of Birds, follows her journey of reconnecting with nature and the lessons it taught her about grief, hope and healing. Since its publication in 2025, Charlie has travelled the UK speaking at bookshops, festivals and events.
Inspired by the experiences behind the book, Charlie also runs gentle writing workshops exploring grief and healing through nature. Using simple writing prompts and mindful observation, she encourages people to discover how time outdoors and creative writing can offer comfort, reflection and connection.
Charlie is also the author of The Ornithologists' Library, due to be published in Autumn 2026. When she's not writing, she's usually exploring historic places with her children!