From Empty Seats to a Full Heart. Mercia Minds is going Live
- Chris Howell
- Jun 14
- 3 min read
Updated: Jul 6
So, last weekend was....disappointing.
And after disappointment, sometimes the best thing you can do is write about it. It’s therapeutic - it worked after yet another brutal end to the Sky Blues season, and it helped again here.
Since it’s 2025, I decided to do just that — not with pen and paper, but with a blank Word doc.
That became the blog I published about Mercia Minds' first Q&A session — an event I’d spent time and money setting up, only to find myself the only person in the room. I realised on the return bus home that building communities takes time.
After getting home and restoring my mood with two fresh bacon batches (because this is Coventry, and we call them batches), I published the blog, stepped away from the screen, and tried to chill out for the rest of the day.
What happened next was genuinely amazing. And deeply humbling.
Mercia AI had more visitors in two hours than it had in the previous three months. At first, I thought it was just a bot party - but no. It was real people reading, replying, and sharing. Dozens of encouraging comments poured in from local Facebook groups, urging me to keep going with Mercia Minds, suggesting new ideas, and even offering to help promote future sessions. That meant everything.
So to the Coventry Community Forum, and everyone else who took time to support me — thank you. Your kindness made a tough moment feel like a turning point.
Yes, the mission hit a bump in the road (and 28 empty chairs, no survivors 🤭). But it didn’t and won't stop there.
Because the mission - to help Coventry and Mercia understand and use AI confidently - continues.
Introducing: Mercia Minds Live
The next Mercia Minds event is going online, via Zoom. Why? Well, the first is convenience. It's easier for people to join online then asking them to turn up somewhere and deal with potential travel and/or car parking issues.
Also, it makes it a lot easier for me to present how AI can be used to help you, which is more or less the mission statement for both Mercia AI and Mercia Minds.
This is the first in a new series of Mercia Minds Live sessions, where I help people — remotely - in Coventry and across Mercia understand AI. And if you're not from this lovely part of the world? You're still very welcome to join us. So, what will that first 'Live' session be about?
Mercia Minds Live: Write Smarter with AI - July 3rd, 7.30pm BST
We’ll explore how to use AI tools (like ChatGPT and Copilot) to write:
Better emails
More engaging blogs
Stronger CVs
Whether you're applying for jobs, battling writer’s block on page one of your sci-fi novel, or just trying to find the words for that email - to your boss, your accountant, your kid’s school, your MP, or even the guy down the road who’s car has blocked you in again — this is for you.
Event Details
Date: Thursday 3 July 2025
Time: 7:30 PM – 8:30 PM
Location: Online via Zoom
Cost: £5
Now, there is a downside to doing this remotely: no free biscuits. Sorry. Even the power of AI has its limitations.
But, here's an upside - your £5 ticket unlocks 20% off these Mercia AI services (valid for 30 days after the event):
The first three services are all aimed at Jobseekers, and being someone who was out of work myself until 2 weeks ago, I have plenty of experience in using AI to help find a job and make your CVs recruiter-friendly. Meanwhile, AI for Beginners teaches the fundamentals of AI in a beginner-friendly manner. Understand how AI works, its real-world applications, and how it can benefit your career or business. Discount codes will be emailed to attendees after the session.
A Quick Note on Behaviour
All Mercia AI and Mercia Minds events follow a simple Code of Conduct. Whether online or in-person, it’s about keeping things respectful, welcoming, and useful for everyone involved. Nothing heavy - just common sense, clear expectations, and community spirit.
Interested? Book now!
I'm not giving up on in-person, face-to-face events either for Mercia Minds. I’ll be trying again down the road. The Army of Empty Seats may have knocked me down, but I'm not out.
Let’s make writing easier. Let’s do it together. And thank you, Coventry and Mercia, for your support. If you have any questions or suggestions on future sessions, give me a shout at contact@merciaai.com.
