Frequently Asked Questions
Find the answers to commonly asked questions about who we are and what we do.
About Lapidus International
What is Lapidus International?
Lapidus International is a membership organisation which aims to promote and connect those working in the field of writing for wellbeing. Writing for wellbeing is the use of words, written or spoken, to promote good wellbeing and mental health.
We welcome anyone with an interest, whether professional or personal, in writing for wellbeing.
Our membership is comprised of people from a range of different fields – writers, health workers, counsellors, therapists, teachers, researchers and more. While our registered office is in the UK, our members are based all over the world.
We support our members by providing a range of resources, including development opportunities, events, and a supportive network to enhance both personal and professional practice.
Since 2008, Lapidus has been funded entirely by membership subscriptions and run on the goodwill and voluntary work of a dedicated team. Find out more about us.
What are the benefits of being a member of Lapidus International?
Joining Lapidus means you become a part of our global community, with a range of resources, events and networking opportunities at your fingertips.
As a Lapidus Member, you can:
- Join the Lapidus Living Research Community, our group dedicated to discussing and sharing research with monthly free events.
- Take part in discounted training and Continuing Personal Development opportunities.
- Connect with like-minded people in our global community.
- Read and be a part of our Lapidus Magazine, a members-only publication full of writing by the community for the community.
- Receive discounted insurance, covering Public Liability, Professional Indemnity and Product insurance via our group insurance scheme.
- Browse our toolkit of treasures and resources to help you to develop your skills and business.
- Advertise your events on our website and in our newsletter for free.
- And much more!
How do I sign up to become a member?
If you’d like to become a member of Lapidus International, you can sign up here.
The cost of membership is £72 a year, or £42 if you are a student or otherwise unable to pay the full rate. We also offer monthly subscriptions to help spread the cost of membership fees.
We accept payments via our website. We regret that we are no longer able to accept cheques as a payment method.
Making the most of your membership
I’m a member, now what do I do?
Welcome to our community!
You can now access your member benefits by logging in to our website, ranging from our monthly LLRC events through to discounted training and insurance.
You’re also invited to connect with fellow members via our regional groups and our active Facebook group. And you’ll be added to our mailing list, meaning that you’ll receive all the latest news and updates straight to your inbox on the 1st of each month.
We also recommend reading our publications. You now have access to LIRIC Journal and our members’ Magazine. Feeling inspired? Why not try to submit something to our next call for submissions?
If you have any questions about your membership, you can log in and check the details in the My Account section of the website. If you can’t find what you’re looking for, please don’t hesitate to let us know. Our membership coordinator, Flo, will be delighted to hear from you!
How can I attend your online events?
Our online events are usually run through Zoom. We recommend downloading Zoom to your computer in advance of attending one of our events.
To join an event, please log in to the website and click on the relevant event listing, where you will find a link to the Zoom room.
Please note that you must be logged in with an up-to-date membership to access the Zoom link. We recommend checking that you can access the event page before the day of the event, so that our part-time coordinators can assist in good time.
If for any reason you have trouble accessing the event on the day, a member of our team will be able to help. We share our events out among our team, so please check the event listing or the latest e-newsletter for the right person to contact.
How can I promote my events and services via Lapidus?
Running a writing for wellbeing event? Excellent! As member, you can advertise with us for free by logging in and filling in the form on our website. A member of our team will approve your event as soon as possible, and your event will be added to our Events page and our next newsletter.
You can also advertise your services via our Writing for Wellbeing Practitioner Directory. Please log in to our website, fill out the form, and a member of our team will approve your submission as soon as possible.
How do I submit to LIRIC Journal and the members’ Magazine?
We are always looking for new contributors to our journal and magazine. You can find information about the LIRIC journal here and find full details of our latest Magazine call for submissions here.
Where can I sign up for the newsletter?
New members are added to our mailing list after sign-up, and you can sign up for our mailing list directly.
We also recommend checking your spam folder and adding Lapidus to your list of safe senders, to make sure our e-newsletters make it to your inbox.
Your account & enquiries
How can I renew or update my membership?
Before your membership needs renewing, you will receive reminder emails from us warning you of your upcoming payment. These might be directed to your spam folder, so we’d recommend adding us to your list of safe senders to make sure the message reaches you.
In most cases, your membership will renew automatically, unless you make changes by logging into our website. You can log in and access your My Account area via the button in the top right hand corner of our website. You can then check and update all the details of your membership and subscription in the relevant tabs in the left-hand menu.
How can I cancel my membership?
We are sad to see you go, and we welcome feedback. You can contact us anytime to share your experience of Lapidus or to book a 1:1 conversation.
If it really is goodbye, you can do so by logging in and clicking the ‘Cancel’ button under the My Account > My Subscription tab. Contact us on membership@lapidus.org.uk if you need any assistance.
I still have questions. Who can help me?
Our team of Coordinators will be happy to help. Please direct your enquiries as follows:
- For general enquiries and information about events, please contact Claire.
- For membership enquiries, please contact Flo.
- For enquiries about the Lapidus Magazine, please contact the Magazine team.
- For questions about our website and social media, please contact Jade.
- For help on the day of an event, please contact the event coordinator listed on the event page or latest e-newsletter.
Our team work part time, and we will aim to respond to your enquiry within three working days. Thank you for your patience.