Your household has a story worth keeping.
Settlestead runs small-group and private workshops for adults who want to write down their family history — names, places, and the short stories that hold a household together.
What We Offer
Three distinct programmes — each designed around the pace of ordinary household life in Malaysia.
Household Story Workshop
A three-hour writing workshop for adults who want to set down how their household came to be — names, dates, places, and a few short anecdotes. Facilitator-led with gentle prompts. Private writing, shared by choice.
- Printed workbook with structured prompts
- Small archival folder for finished story
- Three hours, facilitator-led
- Reflective, non-counselling format
Family Records Workshop Series
Three workshops over six weeks for adults building a written household record — personal records, household inventory, and family story. Each session builds on the previous. Educational and organisational in focus.
- Three progressive workshop sessions
- Workbook and archival folder included
- Short writing exercises between sessions
- Follow-up note one month after completion
Yearlong Family Archive Membership
A twelve-month programme for households wanting a steady rhythm of family archive work. Includes quarterly private sessions, access to all public workshops, and a printed annual addition to your archive at year's end.
- One private session per quarter
- All public workshop attendance included
- Printed annual archive addition
- One household per subscription
Why Households Choose Settlestead
Our workshops are quiet, unhurried, and structured around the realities of Malaysian household life.
Writing-Centred Approach
The workshop format keeps the focus on your own writing — at your pace, in your own words. Nothing is filed or submitted on your behalf.
Small Groups, Real Conversations
Sessions are kept small so each participant has space to think and write without distraction. Sharing is always by choice.
Physical Materials Included
Each programme includes a printed workbook and an archival folder — tangible materials your household keeps long after the workshop ends.
Rooted in Melaka
Our studio is based in Melaka — a city where family history and cultural layering run deep. That context shapes every workshop we run.
Private by Design
Your family records belong to you. No document is filed, shared, or stored without your direct involvement. What you write stays in your hands.
Programmes That Fit Real Life
From a single afternoon to a full year, our programmes are structured around what works for busy households — not the other way around.
Is there a story in your household that hasn't been written down yet?
Most families carry more history than they realise. A single workshop afternoon is often all it takes to start putting it into words.
Frequently Asked Questions
Practical answers for households considering a Settlestead programme.
Who are these workshops for?
Settlestead workshops are open to any adult — individuals, couples, or members of the same household — who want to write down their family history in a structured setting. No writing experience is needed. The prompts are designed to draw out what you already know.
What does a typical workshop session look like?
Sessions are held at our Melaka studio. The facilitator introduces each writing prompt, participants write privately in their workbooks, and there is optional group sharing at the end. The tone is calm and unhurried. There are no presentations and no homework deadlines — though the Series does encourage short writing between sessions.
Is this a legal or estate planning service?
No. Settlestead is an educational and writing-focused studio. We do not file documents, provide legal advice, or act as estate planners. The records you create in our workshops belong entirely to you and are intended for your household's own use.
How much does each programme cost?
The Household Story Workshop is RM 520 per person. The Family Records Workshop Series (three sessions over six weeks) is RM 1,280. The Yearlong Family Archive Membership is RM 2,640 per household per year.
Can I attend with a family member?
Yes. Attending with a spouse, parent, sibling, or adult child is welcome and often adds depth to the writing. Each participant registers individually and keeps their own workbook. The Yearlong Membership covers one household per subscription.
How do I reserve a place?
Fill in the enquiry form on this page or call the studio directly. We will confirm available dates and send a short information note by email. Places are reserved on a first-come basis for each workshop cohort.
Find Our Studio
Suite 8, Jalan Hang Tuah, 75300 Melaka
Get in Touch
Send an enquiry or call the studio to find out about upcoming workshop dates.
Studio Details
Phone
+60 6-283 7641Address
Suite 8, Jalan Hang Tuah
75300 Melaka, Malaysia
Studio Hours
Tuesday – Saturday: 10:00 am – 6:00 pm
Workshops by appointment. Walk-ins welcome for enquiries during studio hours.