• Times: Mondays, 3pm 'til 5pm
  • Venue: The Attenborough Centre, Lancaster Road, Leicester, LE1 7HA
  • Group Contacts: Lydia on 07766 205689 or
    [email protected]
  • Showcase Collective Writers Group is the creative writing side of Showcase Smoothie: an award winning literature and music based project open to all.

    This literature focused side of the project takes place on a weekly basis. It is free of charge and dedicated to all forms of creative writing and poetry. Open to all abilities, including people who struggle to read and write. Following a brief break, sessions will recommence with Lydia in the relaxed setting of Attenborough Arts Centre, from Monday 28th March 2022. A series of sessions led by poet, performer and broadcaster, Shruti Chauhan will commence from April 4th 2022.  

    Showcase Smoothie is led by BrightSparks Arts in partnership with Leicestershire Partnership NHS Trust and WORD! and further partnered by a range of arts, health and educationally based projects and organisations. First conceived of in 2008 to build on the Department of Health’s ‘Delivering Race Equality’ (DRE) action plan, Showcase Smoothie particularly invites black men, as this group is statistically more likely to experience inequalities within the mental health system. The intention of the project is to recognise and address mental health inequalities; foster cross-cultural cohesion and understanding; nurture artistic ability; support creative and personal development and challenge the stigma and misunderstanding that can sometimes surround mental health issues. 

    The project has been Patronised and assisted by the internationally acclaimed writer and performer, Dr Jean ‘Binta’ Breeze, MBE. It is championed by Lord Patel of Bradford, OBE; Dr Mohammed Al-Uzri and Angela Hilary, CEO of LPT.

    Participating artists attend a weekly programme of creative workshops, divided over two project sides, Showcase and Smoothie - both open to adult men and women.