A free poetry night is coming to Nottingham, hosted by Girls Gone Sober – an online community of sober women and LGBTQ+ people.
The event will take place on Sunday 12 January from 6pm to 8pm at the Malt Cross pub, with performances by Midlands-based poets Sophie Stephens and Louise Theokritoff, among others.
Poetry in Nottingham
Stephens, 30, from Sneinton, has been writing poetry since she was five and has decades of experience as an independent workshop facilitator.
“Girls Gone Sober is something I resonate with deeply, and [I] feel passionate about exploring events being sober,” she said.
Nottingham local Theokritoff, 34, said the performing group have developed a “pretty special bond”.
After meeting at one of Stephens’ workshops in recent years, they regularly write together. Theokritoff’s poetry set will tell her story of the past year, which she describes as “a bit of a tender rollercoaster with a whole load of sisterly love running through it.”
A safe space for sobriety
Girls Gone Sober was founded in 2023 by 22-year-old Kinga Sawras from Nottingham. The community was inspired by her own journey with drinking and sobriety.
“While at university, I faced challenges with my mental health and binge drinking, which eventually led me to explore sobriety,” she told Platform.
“In the beginning, sobriety can feel isolating, and socialising can be difficult when drinking is so common.
“I wanted to create a welcoming community where people can connect, build friendships and enjoy alcohol-free events.”
Emphasising the importance of community support in sobriety, Sawras said: “It’s comforting for people to know they’re not alone in their sobriety journey.
“There are many others experiencing the same challenges and triumphs. It’s amazing to witness everyone’s sober milestones and to be able to offer support and a safe space to others when they need it most.”
What is Dry January?
Girls Gone Sober is hosting the event alongside Dry January. Dry January is a month-long alcohol-free challenge created by Alcohol Change UK, a leading UK alcohol charity.
According to the charity, 15.5 million – or one in four (29%) – Brits planned to participate in 2025.
To find out more about Girls Gone Sober, follow them on Instagram and TikTok.
Featured Image: Kinga Sawras/Girls Gone Sober