Hi I’m Becky, a paper artist and founder of my stationery business, Retro from Scratch, which I’ve been running since 2011. I create nostalgic notebooks by recycling old, unloved books and giving them a brand-new purpose as notebooks, planners and diaries. Sustainability is at the heart of everything I do, and I’m passionate about reducing waste, which is why any leftover book pages are transformed into craft kits and used in creative workshops. Alongside my love of paper art, I enjoy exploring the Essex countryside, discovering local history, and hunting down great tea rooms (purely for research purposes, of course!). I love sharing creativity in a fun, relaxed way and can’t wait to get making together.

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Hi I’m Charlotte, a freelance artist and designer with over ten years’ experience creating a wide range of creative work, from wall décor, clocks, mirrors and statement wall art to more recent collections of greeting cards. I mainly work as a digital artist using Photoshop and my iPad, which allows me to experiment with colour, texture and design in exciting ways. Alongside this, I have a strong traditional art background, having trained in techniques such as watercolour and woodcut printing, which still influence my style today. I love blending classic skills with modern tools to create artwork that feels both fresh and timeless, and I’m excited to share my creative process with you.

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Hi I’m Eve, founder of Giftwrapped by Eve, where I help people discover the joy of gift wrapping with an eco-friendly twist. I focus on making wrapping simpler, more creative and kinder to the planet by sharing sustainable materials, waste-reducing ideas and easy techniques that anyone can try. Since 2018, I’ve been delivering talks and hands-on workshops across Wiltshire, working closely with WI groups to inspire confident, thoughtful wrapping. I love showing how small changes can make a big difference while still creating beautifully presented gifts. I’m really excited to now share even more tips, ideas and inspiration with you.

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Hi I’m Felicity, and I love teaching a wide range of crafts through the WI Learning Hub, from crochet and drawing to dotting and paper crafts. My aim is always to make every class fun, relaxed and accessible, so everyone feels confident having a go, whatever their experience level. I’ve worked in education for over 30 years and have been crafting for as long as I can remember, which means I bring plenty of tips, patience and encouragement into each session. I’m also an active member and former President of my local WI, and I’m passionate about sharing creative skills that people can enjoy long after the class ends.

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Hi I’m Gill, founder of GillyMac Designs, where I teach sewing to both children and adults locally and online. I’ve been proud to receive national awards for my children’s classes and to work with organisations such as Liberty of London, the Quilters Guild of the British Isles and Janome, creating tutorials for teens across their websites and YouTube channels. My work has been exhibited around the UK, including at the Turner Contemporary Gallery as part of the GENArt movement. Each week I run a wide range of classes for adults, teens and juniors, alongside a lively online community connecting through sewalongs and virtual retreats. I’m passionate about making high-quality sewing education accessible to everyone.

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Hi I’m Helen, an opera singer and consultant with a real passion for exploring how opera brings stories to life through the powerful combination of music, drama and spectacle. I love making opera feel accessible and engaging, breaking down what’s happening on stage and behind the scenes so everyone can enjoy it with fresh eyes and ears. I’ve had the pleasure of sharing this enthusiasm through talks for organisations such as the BBC and the V&A Museum, and I’m excited to continue bringing the magic of opera to new audiences through inspiring, easy-to-follow sessions.

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Hi I’m Jane, a qualified clinical aromatherapist and experienced teacher based in Kent, with a real passion for making aromatherapy accessible, safe and easy for everyone to use in everyday life. I love breaking down essential oil knowledge into clear, practical guidance, helping people feel confident about what to use and how to use it well. Through my workshops on the Hub, I’ll be covering a wide range of topics including essential oil safety, general everyday use, sleep support, menopause wellbeing, children’s first aid and managing stress. My aim is always to offer friendly, supportive learning that fits naturally into real life.

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Hi I’m Jenny, and I write the “Bossy Little Books” newsletter on Substack, where I explore old advice manuals on personal conduct and the often surprising rules people once lived by. After completing a PhD on the Art of Dying, my research now focuses on the Art of Living, looking at how ideas of politeness, propriety and virtue have shaped everyday life from the cradle to the grave. I love uncovering the fascinating, funny and sometimes downright strict guidance of the past, and sharing it in a way that feels engaging, accessible and full of character.

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Hi I’m Julie, an artist and art teacher who creates and teaches from my light-filled studio on the Isle of Wight, surrounded by farmland and just a short distance from the sea. I originally trained as a fashion designer and worked in both New York and London before moving into art and design education. Today I balance teaching in my studio, running online lessons and developing my own paintings and sketches, alongside exhibiting locally and taking part in the Island’s Open Studios each summer. I also ran a virtual art school during lockdown, sharing inspiring locations through filmed lessons. My passion is helping learners of all levels build confidence and truly enjoy the creative process.

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Hi I’m Lauren, and I’m passionate about animals, conservation and the natural world, with a particular soft spot for zoos, wildlife education and anything narrated by David Attenborough. I work within the Education Team at Tiggywinkles Wildlife Hospital, teaching Level 2 and 3 Animal Care courses, alongside being part of the Overnight Experiences Team at Whipsnade Zoo (yes, you really can sleep over at the zoo!). I’ve loved animals for as long as I can remember and over time that passion has grown into a real enjoyment for sharing knowledge and inspiring others. I’m excited to bring that enthusiasm into every session and hope you enjoy my talks as much as I enjoy creating them!

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Hi I’m Lindsey, a WI President and a British Sign Language user with over 14 years’ experience. I recently completed my Level 3 in BSL and have a strong background supporting deaf students in secondary education, alongside outreach work with Deafblind UK and the ECL Sensory Team in Essex. Through these roles, I’ve gained valuable experience working with people with both hearing and visual impairments. For the past 12 years I’ve been delivering workshops, courses and talks on BSL, and I’m passionate about helping others learn, communicate and connect through sign language in a supportive and engaging way.

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Hi I’m Louise, a textile artist, tutor and community arts practitioner based on the North East coast, where the landscape continually inspires my creative work. I’m passionate about sharing my love of textiles and embroidery and enjoy helping people create pieces that feel personal, expressive and truly unique using a wide range of materials and techniques. I teach workshops across the UK and online, exhibit my artwork and lead a variety of creative community projects. From detailed stitching to experimenting with texture and mixed media, I believe creativity has a powerful way of bringing people together, building confidence and sparking joy through making.

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Hi I’m Lynda, an educational consultant, writer and public speaker with a lifelong passion for herbs and natural living. For over 20 years I’ve blended this love with my professional work, writing for organisations such as the UK Herb Society and Kitchen Garden Magazine, as well as sharing practical knowledge through engaging talks and classes. My career has been wonderfully varied, from working behind the scenes on period dramas managing props and costumes to training animals, before moving more fully into education and herbal writing. I love making traditional skills feel relevant and accessible today, helping people reconnect with nature and enjoy a simpler, more mindful approach to everyday living.

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Hi I’m Margaret, a qualified and experienced adult education lecturer and tutor who has worked across further, higher and adult education for most of my career. I hold a BA (Hons) in Humanities with History, an MA in Education, a PGCE and a Postgraduate Diploma in Dyslexia Diagnosis and Support. Much of my work is now delivered online, offering courses and talks in a range of formats and lengths. My specialist areas are History, Art History and English Literature, particularly from the 18th and 19th centuries. My writing has been published in newsletters, magazines and journals including those of the Brontë Society, the British Association for Local History and the Jane Austen Centre, and I recently co-published a booklet on early 20th-century aeronaut Lily Cove.

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Hi I’m Murron, a contemporary textile artist exploring the connections between nature, folklore and storytelling through intuitive, expressive textile artworks. I’m inspired by the hidden layers of the natural world and the stories waiting to be discovered within it, blending texture, colour and narrative to create visual storytelling pieces. My practice is rooted in curiosity and close observation, aiming to spark those small but powerful moments of connection with the world around us. As a qualified teacher, I’m passionate about sharing my skills and helping others uncover their own creativity, regularly working in community arts alongside delivering artist-led workshops and creative experiences.

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Hi I’m Nicola, a social media manager and consultant with over eight years’ experience working with creative agency Blue Serif. I’ve supported a wide range of brands across B2B, B2C and the charity sector, helping them build stronger online presences and connect more effectively with their audiences. Alongside managing day-to-day content and strategy, I deliver social media training sessions, audits and practical workshops designed to boost confidence and skills. I’m also an active committee member of my local WI, where I look after the group’s social media, so I understand first-hand what works for WI groups. I’m excited to share simple, realistic tips to help members promote all the brilliant things their WIs are doing.

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Hi I’m Peter, a former member of Scotland Yard’s Royalty and Diplomatic Protection who retired in 1992 and went on to pursue a passion for history as an adult education tutor and lecturer. I specialise in engaging topics such as the development of London and East Anglia, alongside fascinating stories from my time at Scotland Yard that bring history to life. I’ve been involved with the WI since 1995 and regularly give talks both online and to local WIs across Norfolk and beyond. I’m also proud to be a Freeman of the City of London and love sharing knowledge in an accessible, enjoyable way.

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Hi I’m Ruth, and I write about technology and storytelling as connected ways of understanding ourselves and the world around us. I’m fascinated by how people use technology and how it shapes our lives in return, with a particular focus on human-computer interaction that makes digital tools feel more natural and empowering. Before becoming a university lecturer, I worked as a web designer and software developer across projects ranging from bridge monitoring to exhibition centres and architectural firms. Since 2001 I’ve taught at universities including Lancaster, Westminster and Birkbeck, University of London, covering subjects such as HCI, artificial intelligence, IT security and web technologies, and now also share my expertise through online courses.

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Hi I’m Simon, and my love of literature and history began in childhood with a fascination for the Tudors, which later led me to study English Literature at Cambridge and complete a PhD in History at Wolverhampton. I now combine these passions in my teaching, leading engaging classes both in person and online, including with Denman College and Denman at Home. I’ve travelled widely to many of the historic places I teach about and have led tours across the UK and Europe, bringing stories to life along the way. I’m all about making literature and history fun, friendly and accessible, and I also run a monthly mindfulness meditation session for anyone keen to give it a try (bad jokes included, free of charge!)

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Hi I’m Steve, an artist and teacher with many years of experience and a real passion for both creative practice and sharing knowledge. I’m an accredited Lecturer for the Arts Society and have had the pleasure of travelling to places including America, India and Zambia to teach and talk about art. What excites me most is exploring the close relationship between art history and the wider historical context, looking at how movements, styles and techniques reflect the world around them. This connection is at the heart of my teaching, helping bring art to life in a way that feels engaging, relevant and easy to enjoy.

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Hi I’m Tilo, a travel-loving German based in Brighton who enjoys sharing engaging travel talks packed with history, human stories, surprising facts and plenty of curious discoveries along the way. Some of my sessions lean more into historical themes, with a sprinkling of local trivia to keep things lively and entertaining. Alongside travel storytelling, I also run beginner-friendly technology workshops and occasionally lead art and decluttering sessions, keeping learning varied, practical and fun. I love creating relaxed spaces where people can explore new topics, build confidence and enjoy the journey just as much as the destination.

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