Events

No breathing techniques.
No new ways of sitting.
No subtle manoeuvres.
Nothing.

Meeting in silence isn’t a new idea. But we aren’t sitting for mindfulness, or for art, or for spiritual improvement. We’re just sitting. It’s going to be boring. A little boredom is good for you - and it’s increasingly hard to come by.

We’ll sit down.
A couple of minutes to arrive.
Phones off.

We’ll sit quietly for 45 minutes. If you need to leave, you can. No pressure. At the end, there’s no debrief. No revelations. You just get up and carry on with your day.

Hope that’s OK with you.

Altogether Otherwise is a place where things always happen—where making, doing, and shared endeavour are all part of the fun. We run workshops, create things, and keep the Hobby House buzzing with activity. No end goals, no pressure, just a space to tinker, try, and enjoy the simple joy of doing.

An African Literature book club meeting every third Wednesday of each month.

Our June pick of the month is New Daughters of Africa, edited by Margaret Busby. It's a powerful anthology bringing together the voices of 200 women writers of African descent from across the world.

There won’t be a book club meeting in July as we’re taking a short summer break, but we’ll be back in August as usual.

A yarn club guided by the moon and seasons. Bring your current project and a notebook. All yarn crafts and levels welcome!

Altogether Otherwise is a place where things always happen. Where making, doing, and shared endeavour are all part of the fun. We run workshops, create things, and keep the Hobby House buzzing with activity. No end goals, no pressure, just a space to tinker, try, and enjoy the simple joy of doing.

In this weekly yoga club we'll be exploring all elements of Yoga from the physical practice & breath to meditation, philosophy & beyond.

All levels of experience are welcome.

Bring a mat & wear something comfy. Every week at Altogether Otherwise.

Hosted by Tam - @tamara.gwen

Altogether Otherwise is a place where things always happen. Where making, doing, and shared endeavour are all part of the fun. We run workshops, create things, and keep the Hobby House buzzing with activity. No end goals, no pressure, just a space to tinker, try, and enjoy the simple joy of doing.

We have a New Club! Every other Friday afternoon we are The Zine Club, here at Altogether Otherwise.

A very informal meet up where we browse, swap, make and chat about zines.

Come along, bring what you are working on or bring nothing at all! Just Join In.

Celebrate World Poetry Day with us in Sadler’s Yard.

Do you ever struggle to find the right words?

Well, look no further, because for one day only, they’re all gathering in Sadler’s Yard. Join us for playful poetry, wilful wordiness and a gentle reminder that language is something you can get creative with.

TALKAOKE

We hadn’t heard of TALKAOKE until recently either. But now we’re into it!

Talkaoke is a pop-up talk show where anyone can sit at a glowing round table and join the conversation. It sounds odd. It is a bit odd. It’s also brilliant. This is the Manchester debut of this cult format, so come and have your say, (or just listen in and enjoy the ride).

POETRY FOR PERFORMANCE WORKSHOP

10am–12pm

A free workshop led by Manchester Cathedral’s Writer in Residence, Tom Branfoot. Arrive with nothing but a notebook and leave two hours later with a jaw full of verses. You’ll explore rhythm, voice and confidence and maybe surprise yourself.

Speaking of which…

PERFORMANCE POETRY STAGE

An afternoon of live performance from some of Manchester’s best spoken word artists, alongside open mic slots for anyone brave enough to step forward. First-timers welcome. Seasoned pros welcome. Poems made up on the spot also welcome.

ALPHABET SOUP

We’re cooking up a large pot of minestrone with alphabet pasta. Eat your words quite literally. Free for all attendees, with donations encouraged for local children’s literacy charities. Come for the consonants, stay for the carbs.

FONT WORKSHOP

Back to basics. In this drop-in clay workshop, you’ll sculpt your own letterform and learn simple techniques for shaping type by hand. Every character made on the day will become part of a collaborative alphabet, which we’ll digitise and share once complete. A typeface built in public.

CUT-UP POETRY

You’re a poet and you didn’t know it.

Join Jot Bookshop to slice, shuffle and reassemble fragments of text into brand new poems. If it was good enough for Bowie it’s good enough for us.

JOT BOOKSHOP

Your local independent bookseller will be in Sadler’s Yard all afternoon with a carefully curated selection of contemporary fiction, poetry and small press gems. Browse, chat, and take something home.

Poetry for Performance Workshop: 10am–12pm

All other activities: 12–6pm

Free to attend. Family friendly.

Come along every Tuesday evening to potter around in our community garden.

Anything gardening related - you name it, we probably do it.

Altogether Otherwise is a place where things always happen. Where making, doing, and shared endeavour are all part of the fun. We run workshops, create things, and keep the Hobby House buzzing with activity. No end goals, no pressure, just a space to tinker, try, and enjoy the simple joy of doing.

Mending used to be second nature - most homes had a tin of buttons, needles, and thread ready for repairs. Now, a missing button or worn-out sock often means the end of a garment.

Mending Club brings those lost skills back. It’s a friendly, free space to slow down, learn or practice mending, and share stories stitched into our clothes. Bring along the jeans you’ve worn to death, your moth-eaten jumper, or socks with holes - together we’ll give them new life.

No experience needed - whether you’re a seasoned stitcher or can’t thread a needle, you’re welcome. Every other Tuesday at Altogether Otherwise, we gather to darn, patch, stitch, and mend. Tools and materials are provided, and inspiration is always on hand.

Expect a casual social environment where we can share what we’re currently working on, ask for advice and chat. We’re all about sharing knowledge and skills, so if you’re not sure how to go about a particular mend, feel free to ask! If you don’t have access to all the supplies you might need, a range of needles and materials will be supplied. If you’re not sure what you may need for a particular mend, check out the @manchestermendingclub Instagram for more inspiration.

No breathing techniques.
No new ways of sitting.
No subtle manoeuvres.
Nothing.

Meeting in silence isn’t a new idea. But we aren’t sitting for mindfulness, or for art, or for spiritual improvement. We’re just sitting. It’s going to be boring. A little boredom is good for you - and it’s increasingly hard to come by.

We’ll sit down.
A couple of minutes to arrive.
Phones off.

We’ll sit quietly for 45 minutes. If you need to leave, you can. No pressure. At the end, there’s no debrief. No revelations. You just get up and carry on with your day.

Hope that’s OK with you.