About Us
Meet your course leaders
Cathy Grindrod
Cathy is an award-winning Derbyshire writer, formerly Derbyshire Poet Laureate, and author of five published poetry collections. She also writes memoir and plays.
She works as a writing facilitator, currently leading three writing courses for the over 55s at Nottingham’s Royal Centre and Nottingham Playhouse, as well as undertaking consultancy work for various literature and arts organisations.
Cathy is also an accredited Coach for Writers and experienced mentor, and runs a unique programme of writer support, The Writer Highway, which provides tailored support for writers at all levels.
Image © Electric Egg
Lizzie Dunford
Lizzie grew up in Ulster, where she scribbled stories as the Troubles rumbled. Studying English Literature at university scared her off writing for decades, during which she taught English in secondary schools and focused on her family.
At the age of fifty she began writing again and has recently completed her MSc in Creative Writing for Therapeutic Purposes with the Metanoia Institute.
She is interested in the relationship between poetry and well-being, especially mental health, and is a member of Lapidus.
Now working freelance, Lizzie is enjoying the vibrant writing community in Nottingham and playing with her baby grandson.