Pages of Us - Zine Making Workshop Exploring Shared Memories

Celebrate your cherished connections in a creative and meaningful way with someone you are close to (a partner, friend, colleague) at Pages of Us, a zine-making workshop that explores the wellbeing benefits of shared memories, part of the ESRC Festival of Social Science 2025.

Led by Dr Erica Hepper and Dr Gloria Wai Shan Ma from the University of Surrey, this unique event blends psychology, storytelling, and creativity. You’ll discover how nostalgia, those warm reflections on shared moments, can do more than make us smile. Research shows it can strengthen resilience, deepen bonds, and enrich our closest relationships.

This evening workshop invites you to attend with someone special: a romantic partner, close friend, or family member. Together, you’ll explore the role of shared memories in relationships and co-create a zine, a handmade booklet using writing, drawing, or collage. Your zine will capture a story or moment you’ve shared, creating both a fun, personal keepsake and an opportunity for reflection and connection.

No artistic skills are required, the activity is designed to be inclusive, beginner-friendly, and enjoyable for all. You’ll also hear a short talk introducing the psychology of nostalgia and take part in relaxed discussions with other participants. Alongside the creativity, there will be refreshments and time to unwind in the welcoming setting of New House Art Space, Guildford. Whether you’re looking for a date night with a difference, a chance to spend quality time with someone close, or simply an inspiring way to explore psychology through art, Pages of Us offers a meaningful and memorable experience. 

Dr Erica Hepper and Dr Gloria Wai Shan Ma from the University of Surrey

Adults - anyone with an interest in learning about shared memories/nostalgia and their wellbeing benefits, with a friend or someone close to them

As above

Book your space – Pages of Us - Zine Making Workshop Exploring Shared Memories – New House Arts Space