what you’ll find here · who I am · what people say · how membership works ·
At Self-Centred, I write from lived experience and hold space as a creative wellbeing facilitator for you to explore yours.
Whatever your background, whether you see yourself as a writer yet or not, you are welcome here. The creative and reflective tools I use are designed to help you explore your voice and build self-trust on and off the page.
And that is how I define self-centring: a regular, sustainable practice of coming home to yourself — centring your values, desires, and needs. It has nothing to do with selfishness.
Who I am
I’m Kate Poll – creative wellbeing facilitator specialising in therapeutic writing, founder of the Compassion Journalling methodology, mother in a blended neurodivergent family of seven, animal lover.
I hold an MSc in Creative Writing for Therapeutic Purposes and work across private practice, community settings and social prescribing partnerships – with carers, housing trusts, independent living organisations and research projects. My Compassion Journalling course is used as a resource on Athabasca University’s MA Writing the Self programme.
My work is inspired by self-compassion research, Compassion-Focused Therapy, and a growing body of therapeutic and psychological frameworks – brought to life through the kind of writing that surprises you with what it turns out to know.
To work with me individually – sessions, courses, or workshops – visit katepoll.co.uk or email me at kate@self-centred.com.
What you’ll find
Personal essays
Grounded in lived and professional experience – how my practice has developed through my own challenges, with invitations to explore how they apply to you.
Writing for wellbeing explorations
Experiments with form, prompt, and creative play. You don’t need to be a writer. You just need to be curious and up for creative play.
Creative Wellbeing concepts and tools explained
The psychotherapeutic and philosophical ideas that underpin the work. Compassion-Focused Therapy, Kristin Neff’s self-compassion research, therapeutic writing practice and more – illustrated through lived experience, mine and (anonymised) participants’, with adaptable tools you can make your own.
A monthly newsletter
What’s happening in the community, what’s coming next. There you’ll find the current theme and upcoming dates for the Wednesday Write Togethers and – from September, the monthly Compassion Circles too.
All of the above are free. For the benefits of paid membership and how it improves the wellbeing of current members and participants, please see below.
What people say
Substack community member:
“Kate offers an inviting, kind and energised space for us to share creativity and our deeper selves. She has been open and authentic about herself which in turn gives us permission to be who we are. Thank you, Kate. “ Elizabeth W
From participants:
“This course provided a gentle, safe space to explore the importance of being compassionate to ourselves through the power of writing. Kate is an excellent facilitator and I felt attended to and held throughout the course. I came away feeling lighter and much more aware of the need for compassion to be present in my life – for me.” — Alexandra Harrington
“I really would recommend trying it if you have any interest in building or repairing your inner dialogue with yourself. Insightful and fun.” — Hamish
“The setting you created allows inner world wisdom to emerge. I felt less alone – other people have similar thoughts, the things people do not talk about in daily life. A beautiful setting to share.” — Elizabeth
“You are a wonderful facilitator. The way you listen and engage with us is so warm. You’re very skilled at taking what we say, honouring our truth and adapting it to suit the rest of the group, while still honouring what each person said.” — Saskia
From organisations:
“Our world needs love and Kate brought love to ourselves and to writing.” — RUILS independent living charity Creative Writing Group
“It gave him a safe space and the confidence to share his story and his feelings – something we haven’t seen before during his 10 years with Peabody.” — Val, Support Worker, Peabody Housing Trust
From colleagues:
“Having worked closely with Kate on Lapidus International’s board, I can attest that she is the real deal.” — Rick Wilson, Lapidus International Treasurer
Paid membership – from September 2026
£9/month or £90/year (lock in this price before September)
Wednesday Write Together
Weekly guided writing sessions, 5:30–6:30pm UK time. No performance required.
Monthly live Compassion Circle sessions (starting 15th September 2026)
A small, supported group session to practice and deepen your compassionate voice – and find ways to make that practice sustainable in real life. A held space of like-minded people, building self-trust together. Currently for Compassion Journalling alumni, with potentially mini-course participants and the odd invited participant joining soon.
If the community offerings aren’t for you right now but the writing resonates, going paid is a way to support this work and keep it sustainable. You can opt out of live session notifications at any time and make your membership entirely your own.
Can’t afford it right now? If you’re part of this community and money is genuinely a barrier, email me at kate@self-centred.com. I’ll gift you a free year.
Founding membership – £200/year
For people who want to be part of shaping this from the ground up.
Founding members receive everything in paid membership, plus:
Seasonal Inner Circle Compassion Circles – small, supported, intimate
Direct input into how this community develops
My genuine gratitude for believing in this before it was fully formed
You choose what you pay – anywhere between the annual membership price and £200. What you can offer is always enough.
You’re warmly welcome.
