Terms and Conditions

Welcome to MotherFolk. By booking a writing circle through our website, you agree to the following terms and conditions. These terms apply to all MotherFolk circles, whether delivered directly by MotherFolk Ltd or by one of our independent Franchisees.

  1. Our Service

MotherFolk provides creative writing circles designed to help mothers feel seen, heard, and

held. Our sessions focus on community building and creative expression.

  • Not Therapy: While some participants have expressed that circles have improved their mental wellbeing, the circles are not a substitute for clinical mental health support, psychotherapy, or medical advice. Our facilitators are trained in the MotherFolk method but are not licensed medical professionals.

  • Safeguarding: We are committed to the safety of all participants. We operate under a strict Safeguarding Policy (available upon request). Our facilitators are DBS-checked and trained to signpost participants to professional support (such as PANDAS, Mind, or the Birth Trauma Association) should a need arise that exceeds the scope of a creative circle.

  1. The Franchise Model

  • MotherFolk is a registered brand operated by MotherFolk Ltd (Company No. 16719197). Registered Address 3 Heaton Grove, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE6 5NN

  • Independent Operators: Many MotherFolk circles are independently owned and operated by trained Franchisees. See individual circle pages for franchisee information.

  • Contract of Sale: When you book a franchisee-led circle, your service contract is with that specific individual or legal entity.

  • Liability: MotherFolk Ltd acts as the booking agent and brand licensor. While we ensure all franchisees meet our high standards, MotherFolk Ltd is not liable for the local delivery, venue safety, or day-to-day management of franchisee-led sessions.

3. Payments and Fees

Payments are processed securely via Stripe.

  • Fee Structure: When you book a franchisee circle, your payment is automatically split.

  • A management and marketing fee is paid to MotherFolk Ltd, and the remainder is paid to the Franchisee.

  • Confirmation: Your booking is only confirmed once payment has been processed in full.

4. Cancellation & Refund Policy

Your legal right to cancel (14-day cooling-off period)

Because you're booking with us online, UK law gives you the right to cancel your booking for any reason within 14 days of the date you booked, under the Consumer Contracts (Information, Cancellation and Additional Charges) Regulations 2013. This applies whether or not you've attended any sessions.

If your first circle falls within this 14-day period, we'll ask you to separately confirm at checkout that you're happy for your circle to begin before your 14 days are up. If you agree to this and later cancel, we may charge you for any session(s) you've already attended, in proportion to the full price of your booking — you won't be charged for sessions you haven't yet had.

If you don't agree to an early start, we'll hold your booking and your circle place won't begin until your 14-day cancellation period has ended.

To cancel within this period, contact us at [email] with your name and booking reference. We'll process any refund due within 14 days of receiving your cancellation.

Our own cancellation policy (alongside your legal right)

Outside of, or in addition to, the legal right above, here's how we handle cancellations more generally:

  • Up to 48 hours before your first session: full refund, transfer to another term, or gift your spot to someone else.

  • Within 48 hours of your first session: a refund is only possible if we're able to fill your spot from the waiting list. If we can't, your booking is non-refundable. We may offer a transfer to a future term at our discretion.

  • Once your first session has started: all bookings are non-refundable and non-transferable.

All timeframes refer to UK local time.

  1. Taster Sessions & Term Spaces

    Buying a taster session gives you a seat at that one circle. It doesn't automatically hold you a place on the current term — if the term you've tried is already full by the time you come to book, we can't guarantee a spot.

    If that happens, you won't lose out: we'll guarantee you a place on the following term instead.

6. Children in Circles

MotherFolk celebrates the reality of motherhood, and we welcome the children you have identified in your booking form.

  • Parental Responsibility: You remain fully and solely responsible for the safety and supervision of your children at all times during the session.

  • No Childcare Provided: MotherFolk facilitators never care for children directly. You must never leave a child unattended or in the sole care of a facilitator.

7. Code of Conduct & Safety

  • Confidentiality: To create a safe "container," participants agree that what is shared within the circle remains confidential.

  • Right of Removal: We reserve the right to remove any participant whose behaviour is disruptive or violates our safeguarding principles. In such cases, no refund will be issued.

  • Trigger Warnings: We encourage the use of trigger warnings when sharing sensitive content to maintain the emotional safety of the group.

8. Intellectual Property

  • Your Words: You retain full ownership of any writing you produce during a MotherFolk circle.

  • Consent: MotherFolk will never share, publish, or use your writing for marketing purposes without your explicit, written consent.

9. Privacy & Data Protection

MotherFolk Ltd is the Data Controller. We collect your contact details, pronouns, access needs, and information regarding your children to provide a safe and inclusive service.

  • Service Communications: By booking a circle, you agree to receive essential logistical emails from MotherFolk Ltd and/or the specific

  • Franchisee running your circle. These include booking confirmations, venue directions, and session updates. These are "Service Emails"

  • necessary for the fulfillment of your contract.

  • Marketing & Newsletters: You will only be added to the MotherFolk or

  • Franchisee general mailing list if you choose to "opt-in" via the separate checkbox at checkout. You can unsubscribe from these marketing

  • communications at any time.

  • Data Sharing: We share your booking data with the specific Franchisee running your circle to allow for session preparation.

  • Security: Your data is processed in accordance with UK GDPR and is never sold to third parties.