Woodlines Retreat

A retreat for Doctors

"an invaluable opportunity to refocus and learn to take care of yourself as well as others"

Retreat dates:

20-23rd November 2023 - no availability

April 29th - May 2nd 2024 - spaces available

and June 10-13th 2024 - taking reservations

To book (or join mailing list)

email: woodlinesretreat@gmail.com

Also: 1 day retreat 3rd November 2023 in partnership with Katya Miles

An invitation to step away

Set at Sheepdrove Organic Farm

https://sheepdrove.com/green-venue-hire/

3 nights accommodation

Your own double, en suite room

Delicious professional catering

Facilitated workshops

Well-being activities

Small group (max 8 guests)

Time for rural solitude

CPD certificate

£1500 all inclusive

(Earlybird discount price £1200 available until end Nov 2023)

"A sanctuary of self care, allowing much needed me time, to truly consider what is important, whilst enjoying beautiful food, surroundings and activities. The perfect balance of “me” time and “us” time with a group of understanding peers."

Testimonial - Nov 2022

To book/ for more information click HERE

What people enjoyed...

"Time for myself, away from the distractions of home and work. Beautiful countryside, fresh air and walks, meditation, mindfulness and story telling sessions. Wonderful supportive faculty and lovely group of people. Food was just superb!"

Delicious food: A beautiful varied vegetarian menu - all prepared on site. "incredible - thanks Catriona!"

Delicious FOOD!

Sound Bath: "A new experience. So relaxing."

Laura and Maura @tranquilflowyoga expertly and gently combine yoga, breathing and relaxation techniques and sound to provide a deeply relaxing experience.

Other benefits...

Spending time in nature

Storytelling

"I found the stories the most powerful and I least expected this. I learned a lot from other people’s human lived experiences"

These facilitated sessions provide a safe space for the sharing of stories as a group. This grounds the themes of the retreat conversations in the reality of the participants own experiences. There is no prior experience or knowledge required other than being a human.

"I was surprised how much spending time in nature added to the experience."

The private, peaceful rural setting at Sheepdrove allows for a mixture of group outdoor time and time spent alone to suit each individual. It is a safe place to wander off alone and spend time alone among the trees, by the lake or in the herb garden.

Opportunities for guided outdoor mindfulness, nature identification and a longer hike are built in to the retreat for those who want them.

... and more...

"I loved the walking and the quiet of the countryside, the time stargazing, meeting lovely people. Sound bath, yoga and massage and creative writing workshop were all fantastic. Beautiful location, loved the wood burning stove and the cosy and relaxed atmosphere"

"an unexpected thing for me was definitely around creativity, which wasn’t something I was aware was missing from my life but felt like a really valuable thing to rediscover.

I also really enjoyed learning more about birds and wildflowers, thank you

Connection

When you take time to connect with yourself this allows you to see what you need in a completely different light.

Creative Writing

"I was surprised by how I really enjoyed the social aspects like dinners and walks. The conversations which emerged were serious and inspiring and hilarious and wonderful. I quite often don’t like enforced time with strangers over meals etc (as you get at conferences etc)... (but it) was all real and brilliant."

"The writing workshop was particularly useful. Extremely powerful and intense session for me."

The chance to put pen to paper for "fun" and without a specific task related purpose can have surprisingly enlightening results.

CPD

Fully accredited with CPDUK as an About Wellbeing Retreat

This retreat can be considered a business expense (for personal development) and is fully accredited as providing 16 hours of approved CPD training. Retreats offer an immersive learning opportunity and safe environment for Doctors to explore and address their individual well-being needs: to learn skills and strategies to apply in their onward personal and professional journey. Each retreat will be delivered to a small group of doctors with a tailored range of coaching, workshops and wellbeing activities.This CPD provision does not detract from the experience being a retreat in the traditional sense of the word!

Wellbeing for doctors.

Doctors inherently have a very particular relationship with wellbeing. Thoughts of seeking support, or talking about feelings of vulnerability are often coupled with a sense of shame, or fear of judgement. As healers our training is filled with a vision of providing the best care for others. This retreat offers you a chance to take time to consider your own needs in a meaningful way, and be kind to yourself. The power of this to make a difference should not be under-estimated.
On our journey to developing this retreat we have had guidance and support from so many helpful people and organisations. Our mission is to make events and spaces for our profession and professional colleagues a part of the fabric rather than a peripheral after-thought.

One role of the team is to signpost guests to suitable additional support if this is requested. Other Valuable sources of advice and support are available if you need them. We have listed a few here...

Practitioner Health: https://www.practitionerhealth.nhs.uk

BMA Wellbeing: https://www.bma.org.uk/advice-and-support/your-wellbeing

The Royal Medical Benevolent Fund: https://rmbf.org

Doctors in Distress: http://doctors-in-distress.org.uk

MIND: https://www.mind.org.uk

The Samaritans: https://www.samaritans.org