A tent for the ‘nomad’: Welcome to the Writing Café’

The historical legacy of the coffeehouse, the predecessor to the café, is rooted in a culture of community, collaboration and social activity. At Plymouth University, Helen Bowstead and Christie Pritchard have coordinated the opening of a creative, developmental area – The Writing Café – which offers the potential to transform the space traditionally occupied by the Learning Development team, and to reduce outdated perceptions of support services as ‘remedial’. The Writing Café aims to contribute to the demystification of writing, where social experience, openness and dialogue encourage people to explore techniques to improve their writing. It also provides an opportunity for staff and students to work together in a ‘third space’, breaking down social hierarchy and cultural boundaries (Bhaba, 1994). Along with serving great coffee and locally sourced food, conversations and activities in the café provide a space where both novice and more experienced writers learn about writing together (Carnell, MacDonald, McCallum, & Scott, 2008). The workshop will explore the notion of the ‘third space’ and the impact the Writing Café project has had on the Learning Development team at Plymouth. As well as showcasing the benefits students have gained by being partners in the project; as co-designers, advisors, writing mentors, baristas and more, the workshop will also open up spaces for dialogue around the many tensions and challenges the Learning Development team have faced, including institutional barriers, stretched resources and competing priorities.