Retreats & Courses

courses and retreats raise the bar

Our two 10-week Autumn 2026 courses are now OPEN. Scroll down to view both courses and to apply.

Applications for BOTH COURSE close on Sunday 26th July at 21:00.

2026 10-week courses application form

Our June day retreat for writers of ALL levels has been rescheduled for SATURDAY 24TH OCTOBER. Scroll down to view the retreat and apply.

Applications for the RETREAT close on Saturday 16th August at 21:00.

Applications for all other 2026 writing retreats are now closed, and all offers have been sent out. You can join the waiting list here.

Our 2026 Artist Development Programme is supported by Arts Council England.

2026 Courses & Retreats (now open)

  • RTB Writers' Room 2026

    RTB Writers' Room 2026 (All Levels)

    6th September - 8th November 2026 (every Sunday, 10:30 - 14:30)

    M Shed and St. Pauls Learning Centre

    The 10-week course, led by Caleb Parkin, will focus on writing, close reading and feedback, contemporary forms, and working towards publication.

    Applications Close: Sunday 26th July (9pm)

    learn more & apply

  • RTB Poets' Development Lab 2026 (All Levels)

    6th September - 8th November 2026 (every Sunday, 10:30 - 13:00)

    M Shed and Bristol Museum

    The 10-week course, led by Vanessa Kisuule, will focus on writing, performance and professional skills.

    Applications Close: Sunday 26th July (9pm)

    LEARN MORE & APPLY

  • Full Day Writing Retreat (All Levels)

    Saturday 24th October 2026 (Chew Valley Community Farm)

    With facilitators Toby Campion & Vanessa Kisuule

    This retreat is aimed at poets at all levels (emerging and post-emerging). Click below for more details.

    Learn more & apply

  • "This course has been one of, if not the, most rewarding, impactful, profound, and joyful experiences of my life as a poet. I never thought that I would get the opportunity to develop my practice in such a well-held manner with such beautiful people, and such an incredible wealth of facilitating talent at our fingertips (for, it has to be said, an absolute steal of a price!). I will recommend this course to any and all poets that I know in Bristol, with the proviso that they should be ready to meet a new version of themselves by the end of the ten weeks. I feel endlessly grateful to everyone involved, and will carry this experience with me for a very, very long time."

    2025 Course Attendee (Poets’ Development Lab)

  • "The professional insights that we gained throughout the course were frankly priceless. This has given me the confidence to go ahead and really grab my poetry career by the horns. But I think that more than anything, the opportunity to develop the way that my poetry sits in myself and in my community has been invaluable. The most rewarding experience I've had in years."

    2025 Course Attendee (Poets’ Development Lab)

  • "The most valuable thing was being connected to a community of fellow local writers, and also all of the gold shared by the main facilitator (Vanessa) and all the guest facilitators. There was too much gold to name!" 

    2025 Course Attendee (Poets’ Development Lab)

  • "The level of facilitation was outstanding. The warmth and generosity offered from Danny and Vanessa was incredible. I felt so encouraged and inspired throughout. The group felt incredibly special, and I’m gutted it’s over. Thank you so much for your hard work and securing such incredible guest facilitators. I have come away with such a wealth of knowledge. The experience has been life changing, truly"

    2025 Course Attendee (Poets’ Development Lab)

  • "This was an amazing and rewarding experience and I felt so lucky to be part of it. The group I was with showed such a variety of styles and experience and I felt we complimented each other really well. We were spolied with the facilitators that came in and the range of things covered across the weeks. Vanessa was an excellent facilitator to guide us through the whole thing. She clearly listens to each person, responds attentively, shows up authentically every week and keeps the energy high. It goes without saying she knows her poetry chops. Danny and everyone involved in bringing this together has done a fab job and I hope this is the first of many RTB development courses to come."

    2025 Course Attendee (Poets’ Development Lab)

  • "This was SUCH an empowering, uplifting, inspiring, connective and transformative experience. I feel so grateful for the generosity of everyone that made it happen."

    2025 Course Attendee (Poets’ Development Lab)

  • "It was a fantastic course, on which I learned a great deal. The faciltation and guests were high quality and I finished the course feeling engaged in a creative practice in a way I have not previously experienced. I was supported with compassion and professionalism throughout and I wouldn't hesitate to recommend the experience to others. Thank you."

    2025 Course Attendee (Poets’ Development Lab)

2026 Retreats

  • Full Day Writing Retreat (All Levels / Emerging)

    Saturday 19th September 2026 (Chew Valley Community Farm)

    With facilitators Deanna Rodger & Adam Kammerling

    This retreat is aimed at all levels / emerging poets. Click below for more details.

    Learn More & Apply

  • Weekend Writing Retreat (All Levels / Emerging)

    6th - 8th November 2026 (Barley Wood House)

    With facilitators Salena Godden & Safiya Kamaria.

    This retreat is aimed at all levels / emerging poets. Click below for more details.

    Learn More & Apply
  • joelle taylor

    Weekend Writing Retreat (Post-Emerging)

    13th - 15th November 2026 (Barley Wood House)

    With facilitators Pascale Petit & Cecilia Knapp.

    This retreat is aimed at post-emerging poets. Click below for more details.

    Learn More & Apply

  • "The whole weekend was facilitated so well...the schedule was just right. It was wonderful to have time with the tutors and the RTB team too. I will be actioning what I learned for years, and I wouldn't hesitate to book on a RTB retreat again."

    2025 Retreat Attendee

  • "This was one of the highlights of my year! I absolutely LOVED it."

    2025 Retreat Attendee

  • "Thank you for a wonderful experience and creating a calm and restorative atmosphere. I really felt held and looked after which enabled me to do the writing without worrying about any other needs. So grateful."

    2025 Retreat Attendee

  • "A fire has been lit within me and I have come away with confidence and self belief to advance."

    2025 Retreat Attendee

  • "Thank you so so much for an amazing retreat - I was so anxious coming in but that was so quickly quelled and I'm incredibly glad and grateful that I did go! :)"

    2025 Retreat Attendee

  • "It was an amazing experience and seamlessly put together by a team who continue put their hearts and souls into facilitating opportunities for others to develop as artists. I am grateful and humbled."

    2025 Retreat Attendee

  • "Thank you so much, it was wonderful! The food was perfect."

    2025 Retreat Attendee

Past Retreats & Courses

  • Full Day Performance Retreat (All Levels)

    Saturday 20th June 2026 (Clevedon Curzon)

    With facilitators Muneera Pilgrim & Chris Redmond.

    This retreat is open to poets at all levels (Emerging and Post-Emerging). Click below for more details.e

    Learn More & Apply

  • Poets' Development Course 2025

    14th September - 16th November 2025 (every Sunday, 10:30 - 13:00)

    M Shed and St Paul’s Learning Centre

    The 10-week course, led by Vanessa Kisuule, will focus on writing, performance and professional skills.

    LEARN MORE & APPLY

  • Weekend Writing Retreat (Emerging+)

    October 24th - 26th 2025

    With facilitators Nikita Gill & Rachel Long.

    This retreat is specifically for emerging+ poets in South West England at different levels of experience. Click below for more details.

    Learn More & Apply

  • Full Day Writing Retreat (Post-Emerging)

    September 21st 2025 (Chew Valley Community Farm)

    With facilitators Deanna Rodger & Anthony Anaxagorou.

    This retreat is specifically for mid-career / post-emerging poets in South West England.

    Learn More & Apply

  • Full Day Writing Retreat (Emerging+)

    June 22nd 2025 (Chew Valley Community Farm)

    With facilitators Rebecca Tantony & Malaika Kegode.

    This retreat is specifically for emerging+ poets in South West England at different levels of experience. Click below for more details.

    Learn More & Apply
  • joelle taylor

    Weekend Writing Retreat (Post-Emerging)

    May 16th - 18th 2025 (Barley Wood House)

    With facilitators Joelle Taylor & Theresa Lola.

    This retreat is specifically for mid-career / post-emerging poets in South West England. Click below for more details.

    Learn More & Apply

School Visits

Our poets have extensive experience delivering performance poetry workshops, showcases and slams in schools. Get in touch to book an individual poet or a group visit.

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Get Involved

  • Workshops

    Our Poets Development Course is an opportunity to develop your writing and professional skills over a number of sessions.

  • Retreats

    We offer both Weekend Retreats and Day Retreats, fully catered and suited for writing at different levels of experience.

  • Book a Poet / Show

    Want to bring Raise the Bar’s poets to your school? Or book a Raise the Bar event at your venue/festival? Get in touch below!

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