The Bishop’s Stortford Community Podcast is brought to you by:

Takeley Chiropractic – Helping local families move better, feel better, and live pain-free through expert chiropractic care.
https://www.takeleychiropractic.co.uk/

Jools Abrams – Professional Writer and Ghostwriter

Jools has lived in Stortford for around 30 years and is a professional ghostwriter, having written around 40 books for other people and more than 10 of her own. She specialises in memoir and life stories, helping people capture their experiences in their own voice for publication.

In this episode, Jools shares how she moved from teaching into writing, completing an MA in Children’s Literature and Creative Writing at Birkbeck, and building a portfolio career rooted in creativity and community. She talks about the empathy required to write someone else’s story, the therapeutic nature of memoir writing, and the privilege of hearing stories that have never been shared before.

Jools is currently crowdfunding her own memoir, The Sibling, which explores her experience growing up with a brother diagnosed with autism in the 1970s, and the evolving responsibilities of sibling care as parents age. The project connects closely with SIBS, the UK charity supporting siblings of people with additional needs.

She is also an active member of She Who Dares, contributes to local publications including The Bish, writes memoir through Book of My Life, is part of the Talliston Writers Group, and co-hosts food experiences through Hello Food Tours.

Jools Abrams Website:
https://www.joolsabrams.com

Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/joolsdares/

The Sibling – Extract and SIBS feature:
https://www.sibs.org.uk/jools

SIBS – Supporting siblings of disabled people:
https://www.sibs.org.uk/

Book of My Life (Memoir Writing):
https://www.bookofmylife.co.uk/

Stortford Spotlight

Billboard in Jackson Square

“She who dares thrives.”

A call to step out of your comfort zone and embrace opportunity at every stage of life.

Secret Spot

The Micro Bakery at Grandey’s Place – A welcoming, independent bakery serving excellent coffee and fresh bread just on the edge of town. https://www.microbakery.co.uk/

Local Legends

Woosh Canoe Club – For their regular river clean-ups and environmental work along the Stort. https://whooshexplore.co.uk/

Rachel Hewlett, Hello Food Tours – For celebrating independent food businesses and bringing people together through guided tours in Bishop’s Stortford and beyond. https://www.hellofoodtours.com/