A former drama school principal is launching a monthly event in Yatton for people who are not in full-time employment.

Heidi Hollis’s new Spoken Word Café will begin next week and aims to provide a social event in the village which promotes well-being too.

She said: “People who aren’t in full-time employment often miss the interpersonal connections that come with a busy working life.

“Sometimes these people feel a bit invisible – they might be working from home, self-employed, retired or parents working part-time.

“Life can be choppy or even boring, and it’s hard to connect with what is really important to you.”

Heidi, who used to be the principal of Stagecoach Performing Arts, is aiming to encourage creativity and give people confidence. And if it proves a success, she hopes to create a series of events across the district.

She said the sessions will see people invited to read aloud something which means a lot to them.

Heidi said: “‘The Spoken Word Café creates a space that is certainly social – tea/coffee and biscuits are included of course.

“But it’s also about taking time to listen to ourselves and to be heard and understood by others.

“No-one will be asked to read if they really don’t want to. It’s very low pressure and informal.

“Well-crafted words have the power to heal, delight, entertain and persuade.

“When we speak what we feel or respond to someone else’s words, we connect with what is truly important inside us.

“And no doubt there will be laughter too.”

Heidi plans to bring some of her own material to start with, including book excerpts and poems, but hopes as the sessions go on that people will take literature of their own.

She said: “Anything you feel drawn to – bring that along and tell us why its important to you.

“I hope we have some creative writers come along – what better way to test new material than with an audience keen to hear your poems or stories?”

The first event will be held at Yatton Library, in High Street, on Tuesday from 11am-12.30pm.

It will then run on the third Tuesday of each month, with the exception of next month when it will be held on December 5.