Meet Up – December 2026

Join The Fold Network for a relaxed evening of conversation, community, and inspiration.

We bring together self-employed women, freelancers, business owners, and side-hustlers to share ideas, support one another, and build meaningful relationships — the kind that help you grow both personally and professionally.

Whether you’re brand new to The Fold or a regular face, you’ll be welcomed into a friendly, supportive space where you can show up exactly as you are.

This Month’s Workshop

This month, we're getting creative with Leeds-based writer and creative writing educator Jess Austin, founder of Plot and Purpose.

Through her workshops and writing groups, Jess creates relaxed, welcoming spaces for people to slow down, pay attention and explore their creativity through writing. Her workshops combine simple writing techniques with reflection, observation and playful prompts, making them accessible to everyone, whether you write regularly or haven't picked up a pen creatively in years. What to expect from the workshop with Jess...

The Things We Carry: A Christmas Creative Writing Workshop

What stories can an ordinary Christmas object hold?

In this relaxed, seasonal creative writing workshop, we'll use a Christmas-related object as the starting point for exploring memory, observation and imagination.

Bring along a small object connected to Christmas. Perhaps a favourite bauble, an old photograph, a Christmas card, a present, a decoration or something you've inherited.

Through a series of accessible writing exercises, we'll look closely at our objects, uncover the stories and memories attached to them, and use our imaginations to take those stories somewhere new.

We'll move between personal memory and fiction, with plenty of guidance and prompts along the way. There'll be time to write independently, chat and share ideas, but there's absolutely no pressure to share your writing or read aloud.

You don't need to be an experienced writer. Just bring an open mind, a pen and an object with a story to tell.

Please bring: One small Christmas-related object. It can be meaningful, funny, ordinary or completely random. If you don't have something you'd like to bring, don't worry. We'll have some seasonal objects available to inspire you.

Come ready to write, reflect, have a drink and see what stories you can find in the things we carry.

Instagram: Follow Jess here

Find more ways to work with Jess here

Evening at a glance:

7:30pm – Arrive, grab a drink, settle in

7:45pm – Creative writing workshop with Jess Austin

As with all meet ups there will be plenty of opportunity to chat and make connections.

This isn't just a networking event. It's a chance to try something different, explore your creativity and spend an evening with women who get what it's like to run your own business.

Join us for an evening of creativity, good conversation and community.

The Fold is a collaborative community for self-employed and freelance women in Leeds. 

It's a ready-made support system. A roomful of women in your corner, cheering you on (and picking you up when you fall). Down-to-earth chat about real business and real life and everything in between.

No awkward small talk. No feeling weird about “competitors”. No secret handshakes. And definitely no breakfast meetings.

Members! Check your sign up email to find your event codes.