Three ways to build your household archive
A single afternoon workshop, a six-week writing series, or a yearlong membership — each one designed around what a household can realistically commit to.
Back to HomeHow every Settlestead programme works
Regardless of which programme a household joins, the core method stays the same.
Orientation
The facilitator introduces the session scope and materials. Participants understand what the session will produce before writing begins.
Prompted Writing
Participants write privately in response to structured prompts. The facilitator is available throughout but does not interrupt during writing.
Optional Sharing
The session closes with space for voluntary sharing. No participant is asked to read aloud or present their writing to the group.
Physical Record
Participants leave with their completed workbook and an archival folder. The writing stays with the household.
Household Story Workshop
A three-hour workshop for adults who want to write down a short record of how their household came to be — names, dates, places, and a few specific anecdotes. The session is facilitator-led and uses prompts drawn from community conversation practice. Writing is private; sharing is by choice only.
This workshop is reflective and writing-focused. It is not counselling, not a legal service, and not a research exercise. What you produce is a short written household story that belongs entirely to you.
What the session covers
- Origin of the household — where it began and how it formed
- Key names, dates, and places in the household's early years
- Two or three short anecdotes chosen by the participant
- A closing section for notes on what the participant wants to document further
Session steps
Welcome and materials — Workbook and archival folder distributed; scope of the session explained (15 min)
Prompted writing — Block A — Origin and names prompts; private writing time (60 min)
Prompted writing — Block B — Anecdote and continuation prompts (60 min)
Close and optional sharing — Participants file their writing; brief group discussion if desired (25 min)
Included in this programme
- Three-hour facilitated session
- Printed workbook with structured prompts
- Archival folder for the completed story
- Studio space and materials
Family Records Workshop Series
A series of three workshops scheduled across six weeks for adults building a written record of their household — personal records, household inventory, and family story, together in one structured programme. Each session builds on the work of the previous one.
Participants are encouraged to do short writing exercises between sessions. The series is educational and organisational in nature. No document is filed or signed on a participant's behalf during or after the programme.
Three-session structure
Session 1 — Week 1
Personal Records
Participants document individual records: full names, dates, places of birth, and significant personal milestones within the household.
Session 2 — Week 3
Household Inventory
Participants write a structured inventory of household objects, places, and routines that carry particular significance in the household's history.
Session 3 — Week 6
Family Story
Drawing on the previous two sessions, participants write a short narrative of their household — how it came to be, and what defines it now.
Included in this programme
- Three facilitated sessions over six weeks
- Between-session writing exercises
- Workbook and archival folder
- Written follow-up note one month after Session 3
Yearlong Family Archive Membership
A twelve-month membership for households that want a steady rhythm of family archive work. The membership includes one private session per quarter (four total), attendance at all of the studio's public workshops throughout the year, and a printed annual addition to the family archive at year's end.
The membership is organisational and educational in nature. It does not include legal advice or estate planning services. Suitable for one household per subscription.
What a membership year looks like
First private session — Initial household archive assessment and first writing session with the facilitator
Second private session — Continuation of household records; review of writing done since Q1
Third private session — Deeper family story writing; beginning the narrative arc for the annual addition
Final session + Annual Addition — Completing the year's writing and receiving the printed annual archive addition
Included in this membership
- Four private sessions (one per quarter)
- All public workshops for the full year
- Printed annual archive addition at year's end
- Workbooks and archival materials throughout
- One household per subscription
Choosing the right programme
A direct comparison to help households decide which programme fits their situation.
| Feature | Story Workshop | Series | Membership |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duration | 3 hours | 6 weeks | 12 months |
| Number of sessions | 1 group | 3 group | 4 private + all public |
| Private sessions | |||
| Printed workbook | |||
| Archival folder | |||
| Written follow-up | (1 month post) | (quarterly) | |
| Printed annual addition | |||
| Price | RM 520 | RM 1,280 | RM 2,640 / yr |
| Best for... | Households wanting to start with one session before committing further | Adults ready to build a full written household record over six weeks | Households committed to an ongoing, deepening archive practice |
Shared standards across all programmes
These apply regardless of which programme a household joins.
Participant Data Privacy
Contact details are used only for programme scheduling. No written content from sessions is retained by the studio.
Capped Group Sizes
All group sessions are capped at eight participants. This is a firm limit, not an average.
Printed Materials Quality
Workbooks and archival folders are prepared to a consistent standard for each session. Materials are checked before distribution.
Clear Programme Scope
Each enquiry receives a written summary of what the programme includes and what it does not. No undisclosed elements.
Non-Directive Facilitation
Facilitators guide the writing process without directing its content. What participants choose to write is their own decision throughout.
Educational Scope Only
Settlestead programmes are educational and organisational. No legal document preparation, estate advice, or professional archiving is offered or implied.
Programme fees
All prices in Malaysian Ringgit. Materials included in every programme.
Household Story Workshop
RM 520
per person · single session
- 3-hour workshop
- Printed workbook
- Archival folder
Family Records Series
RM 1,280
per person · 3 sessions over 6 weeks
- 3 facilitated sessions
- Between-session exercises
- Workbook + archival folder
- Written follow-up at 1 month
Yearlong Membership
RM 2,640
per household · 12-month membership
- 4 private sessions
- All public workshops
- Printed annual addition
- Workbooks throughout
Not sure which programme fits your household?
Contact us with a brief description of what you have in mind. The studio team will suggest the programme that best matches your household's situation and timeline.
Send an Enquiry