Retreats & Courses
Applications for our 2026 retreats are now CLOSED.
We will be announcing our two 10-week courses this June, which will take place starting from September 2026. Stay tuned for further announcements.
Our 2026 Artist Development Programme is supported by Arts Council England.
2026 Retreats
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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.
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Full Day Writing Retreat (Post-Emerging)
Saturday 27th June 2026 (Chew Valley Community Farm)
With facilitators Jasmine Gardosi & Vanessa Kisuule.
This retreat is aimed at post-emerging poets. Click below for more details.
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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.
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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.
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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.
Past Retreats & Courses
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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.
Get Involved
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Workshops
Our Poets Development Course is an opportunity to develop your writing and professional skills over a number of sessions.
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Retreats
We offer both Weekend Retreats and Day Retreats, fully catered and suited for writing at different levels of experience.
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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!