ROCKAWAY PARK'S WORKSHOPS & COURSES
Here at Rockaway Park, we’re committed to engaging with the local community and beyond.
With a wealth of talented craftspeople, artists, makers, musicians and performers - all keen to share their skills and experience in a supportive and inspirational environment - our series of workshops and courses are open to everyone and kept as low in price as we can make them.
For a taster of past workshops, see the short video below.
If you'd like to get in touch to express an interest in past workshops being run again, or you'd like to collaborate with us, or you'd like more details about our workshop and course experiences, please visit our Workshop Archive page by clicking below
Alternatively, if you'd like to support Rockaway to enable us to provide more low-cost and free workshops and courses, you can become a Patreon. With a small monthly donation, you can help us continue our valuable work supporting the community and providing valuable skills-based sessions to those who need them. For all the info on how you can become a Rockaway Patreon, please click on the image below.
You will also be helping spread the crucial message that actively supporting each other in these testing times is a way to initiate positive change.
Thank you!
CURRENT WORKSHOPS & COURSES
Solar Energy Course
Saturday 22nd March, 9am - 4pm
Rockaway is excited to launch the first of a series of practical courses focusing on renewable energy. If you want to add solar panels to a cabin, barn, outbuilding, vehicle or other non-domestic structure, then this is the course for you!
Hosted by the wonderful Terry Kerans, from Yellow Energy Ltd (a renewable energy project consultancy) this 1-day course has been designed for people who have little or no knowledge of solar PV (Photovoltaic) and want to know more to help with their own solar projects.
With a mix of theory and practical application, you will learn the following:
- How solar works
- How to calculate the amount of solar you will produce, given limited space for solar panels
- Basic components of a small solar PV array and how to choose the right ones for your needs
- Monitoring systems
- Battery systems
There's an opportunity to look at how Rockaway Park’s 3 phase solar PV system operates, as well as work with Terry to design an off-grid system. You’ll also be given the chance to design a small solar installation.
Cost for this course is £60 and includes a delicious home-made vegan lunch. Places are limited, so if you’d like to take part, please click below to book.
This course is now fully booked. If you'd like to be added to a reserve list in the event of a cancellation, or take part in a future repeat of this workshop, please let us know by contacting Michelle below.
Telling Tales - Women's Circle Taster
Saturday 29th March, 1pm - 4pm
We’re delighted to offer this taster session with the wonderful Victoria Robinson - a qualified coach and mentor, who has been supporting women throughout menopause for over a decade. Having found the power of circle in her own life, Victoria has recently begun holding circles to bring more women together to reconnect with themselves and others.
For this Spring Equinox, you’re invited to Telling Tales - a women's circle to create a moment of balance and renewal in an increasingly busy world of frantic activity. Throughout history, people have gathered in circles to tell stories, solve problems and, most of all, listen to others. So, why not take a few hours to stop, speak from the heart and create deep connections with those who sit with you?
This session is based on the ways of council that have grown out of The Ojai Foundation lineage - an ancient way and modern practice, spanning diverse cultures and religions, with roots in the natural world. It elicits an experience of true community, recognising that each voice needs to be heard; that every person has a gift and a story to share. Offering a way of communicating that encourages attentive listening, as well as honest and compassionate expression, it makes room for new insights and understandings, plus wisdom in decision making and healing.
You can read more about it HERE.
If this circle feels like something you’re drawn to, please click below to contact Victoria and book a space.
Cost is a minimum donation of £10. If you feel you’re able to donate more, you will be supporting 2 subsidised places for people who can’t afford it. If you feel you could benefit from a subsidised place, please contact Victoria also by clicking below.
Electrics Workshop
Friday 11th April, 10am - 5pm
An Introduction to Electrics for Shows & Events
Old school technician Stefan Hintsches is back with another fantastic workshop!
Do you want to run cables like a pro, get to know all types of plugs and sockets, and work out how much power you need? Learn to calculate your consumption (and costs) and get an insight into the fascinating world of outdoor electrics. This workshop is for everybody who uses electricity as part of their work and wants to get a better understanding of it - no previous experience required.
Originally designed for crew members of a travelling circus, this workshop bridges the gap between consumers and providers of electricity, to enable people from all different backgrounds to:
- Understand basic electrical terminology.
- Make calculations for power consumption.
- Identify commonly used connectors and understand their qualities and limitations.
- Spot frequently occurring faults on them.
- Identify circuit breakers and understand their function.
- Understand the correct rigging and installation of cables and connectors.
- Use basic diagnostic tools.
- Work safely around electricity.
"The workshop is great for absolute beginners, as well as those with a level of site electric knowledge. I really enjoyed the structure of the course and the use of analogies to break down difficult subject material."
Sorelle, Production Manager, Revel Puck Circus
Cost for this 1-day workshop is £40 for unwaged/benefits and £60 for employed. Places are limited and book up quickly. So, if you’d like to take part, please click on the image below.
ONLINE WORKSHOPS & COURSES
Creative Writing Workshop
Finding Inspiration
This new online creative writing workshop has been created by Michelle Diwell to help budding writers. Michelle has a Masters in Professional Writing, and has been devising and delivering creative writing workshops in person for years.
If you’ve always wanted to write, but didn’t know where to begin, or you’ve written before but you’re looking for some fresh ideas, then this workshop will show you a few ways to get the creative juices flowing and find the stories within...
Consisting of a series of videos, or steps, to work through at your own pace, Michelle will guide you through the following:
A Warm-Up Writing Game
Creative Writing Exercise 1 - Looking For A Story
Creative Writing Exercise 2 - Using Your Memory
Creative Writing Exercise 3 - Listening For A Story
Creative Writing Exercise 4 - Visual Stimulation
Creative Writing Exercise 5 - Tapping Into Your Imagination
Creative Writing Exercise 6 - Through The Door
Short Story Tips
Here's some feedback from writers who've already tested the workshop.
"Presented with clarity and enthusiasm, this workshop inspires the hesitant/wannabe writer into creative action, with a series of innovative and provocative exercises that get the imagination flowing over the stepping stones to being a writer. The tone is one of gently leading you into the nature and structure of creative writing: it's informative, positive, well structured - and it works! I just wrote things I had no idea were in my head! Highly recommended!"
(Richard, Bath)
"Excellent workshop! Good pace and the sensory aspects were great. The writing short story tips were really helpful too and contained a wealth of information so that I feel I can get going on actually writing a story. Fab!"
(Amanda, Bournemouth)
"Loved the exercises! Well-presented and engaging – Michelle has a really beautiful voice that makes listening and learning very pleasant, calming, and actually quite therapeutic."
(Ben, Bristol)
Cost for this workshop is £50. So, if you'd like to dive in and take part, you can buy a copy of the workshop by clicking below.
Beginners Yoga
Do you want to get into yoga but don't know where to start? Then Maddie's course is for you! Designed to help beginners find confidence with breath work and yoga poses, Maddie invites you to dip into some amazing meditation practices.
This six-part course will allow you to explore lots of areas of yoga, encouraging you to get into a regular practice that works for you. With easy to follow videos and a supporting worksheet with additional information, the course covers the following:
Session 1: Breath & Basics
An introduction to the 3 key elements of yoga - Breath, Movement, Chill.
Session 2: Poses & Peacefinding
An exploration of classic poses that can be sewn together to eventually create a flow.
Session 3: Serene Stillness
Finding stillness in body and mind.
Session 4: Mindful Movement
An introduction to flow and the sun salutation.
Session 5: Flowing Freely
Going with the flow and listening to what your body is asking for.
Session 6: Yoga For When You're Tired
Slowing down and gentle stretches.
Cost for all six sessions is £50.
To sign up and get started on your yoga practice, just click below:
Our Workshop & Course Programme in 2025
We've been lucky enough to work with some fantastic practitioners delivering workshops and delighted by the response to everything we've offered with some amazing feedback from participants. Thanks to each and every one of you for taking part.
We'd like to continue offering creative practitioners space for hire to deliver their workshops and courses at Rockaway in the classroom, terrace, chapel, main shed, or yard, with electricity and heating provided, if needed. PLUS, we'll promote your workshop or course through our newsletter, website and social media platforms, which means it will reach a following of over 32,000 people.
It will be like any other venue hire to deliver a workshop or course, except our Michelle will happily work with you on promotional materials, such as images, info and videos (if you have them) to help with recruitment.
If you're interested in running a workshop or course at Rockaway with this approach, then please get in touch below for a chat. We look forward to hearing from you!
ROCKAWAY PARK
"Would those who say it can't be done, please stand clear of those doing it"