Resourced from Within, Rooted in Nature

A professional development weekend to enhance the wellbeing and effectiveness of those working in social care

Friday 12th June - Sunday 14th June 2026

Book here

A restorative, nature-based weekend to enhance your wellbeing and the way you show up for the young people you support.

What its about?

The aim of this nature-based, restorative professional development weekend is to enhance the wellbeing and effectiveness of staff working with care experienced young people.

Through guided reflection, time connecting with nature, and facilitated group exploration, participants deepen their understanding of how their internal state shapes both their wellbeing and their professional practice.

Grounded in the understanding that the quality of how professionals show up models a way of being that young people learn from, this weekend strengthens inner stability, clarity, and resilience. From this foundation, participants are better able to offer consistent, compassionate support that fosters motivation, wellbeing, and independence in the young people they work with.

The experience also supports staff psychological wellbeing, helping to reduce burnout, build emotional resilience, and cultivate a more grounded, relational approach to supporting young people as they transition into independent adulthood.

Delivered in partnership with the Gathering Ground CIC, that supports care experienced young people’s transition to independence through grounding in nature and connecting in community.

How will this support you?

Designed for up to 12 delegates, learning is facilitated by being outdoors in nature, with time to relax and replenish in the field, use the natural swim pool and sauna. Topics include:

  • Empowering young people to navigate challenging times and difficult interactions

  • Understanding the source of resilience, mental wellbeing and motivation

  • Connecting with nature to facilitate regulation, authenticity, clarity, calm and resourcefulness.

  • Reducing stress, anxiety and overwhelm

  • Listening to your inner guidance system

Participants of our previous training courses have described leaving with:

  • A quieter mind and increased sense of vitality.

  • Greater ease with both personal and professional relationships.

  • A renewed confidence in their ability to lead and care for others without it depleting them.

  • Awareness of how to be deeply present with others’ suffering without absorbing it

  • Connection with their own innate capacity for insight, healing and wisdom.

  • Being part of a community for ongoing support.

Facilitators

Kirstien is a psychologist, educator, coach, and counsellor who delivers training facilitated by nature, to leaders, and frontline professionals on enhancing resilience, clarity, and wellbeing that improves quality of compassionate support they offer others.

Founder of Field of Possibility

Kirstien Bjerregaard, PhD, MBACP

Read more about Kirstien here 
Founder of The Gathering Ground CIC

Lucy is a qualified positive psychology coach, nature facilitator and social care consultant. Lucy has passionately supported young people, and the adults that support  them, to flourish, for 16 years. 

Lucy Reynolds, PgCert, L5 Children’s Home Leadership, L3 Forest school

Read more about Lucy here

Practicalities

Accommodation

The price includes camping in the field in a tent already set up or bringing your own.

For an additional cost there is the option to stay in a single room (£50 per night) or luxurious en-suite shepherds hut in field (£100 per night)

All participants, regardless of accommodation choice, are part of the full retreat experience.

Food

Food and drink is included. Meals are vegetarian and nourishing. Dietary requirements catered for where possible

Cost

Self-funded full rate = £345

Organisation funded rate = £395

Cancellation policy can be found here

If cost is the only thing preventing you from attending, please get in touch about a subsidised place.

Timings

Friday 12th June, - Arrival from 5 pm. Meal together at 6.30pm. Evening session 7.30 - 9pm

Saturday 13th June - 8.30am - 8.30pm

Sunday 14th June - 9am - 3pm

Book here
Email to book a chat

Testimonials

  • This is something which will stick with me for life and actually grows more.

    I found the learning on the course to be enlightening and it is something that always feels like it’s there, unlike other training or courses, the content of which fades quite quickly. This is something that will stick with me for life and actually grows more”.

    Tom Toogood, Technical Advisor, Environment Agency. (1 year on from undertaking Resilience Program)

  • The big difference with this course is its permanency

    The big difference with this course compared to other mental health/wellbeing interventions is it’s permanency.

    It is about building resilience now and for the future to sustain mental wellbeing rather than to fix a short term or immediate crisis.”

    Mark Russell, Head of Centre, Environment Agency. (1 year on from attending Resilience Program)

  • The glasses need to be viewed so you can realise your own presence and peace

    It was like being given pair of new glasses to see the world. The glasses might shakeup everything you thought or they might deepen everything you already knew. Whatever they do the glasses need to be viewed so you can realise your own presence and peace.

    Gina Hayes, Yoga Teacher, Director of Yoga Sunshine - small group coaching program

  • I have found myself in a calmer place since doing the RAW training...

    I felt something really shifted in me in a positive way that day. Kirstien was a very skillful facilitator finding the right balance of giving psychological theory for reflection and holding space for people to talk. I felt really heard and validated and it was very team building too. I have found myself in a calmer place since doing the RAW training and much more present. The venue is absolutely beautiful in nature and very peaceful, the perfect environment to have an away day, let go of work and come back to the self and re-set.

    Anna Berkley. Midwife. Attended 1 day RAW training

  • I now have a completely different appreciation for life, people and perspectives.

    “This course is a life-changer and a game-changer. I have a completely different appreciation for life, people and perspectives. I also am stress and anxiety free. I really now also understand how damaging and pointless that anxiety and stress was”.

    Mark Roden - Operations Manager (1 Year on from undertaking Resilience program)

  • It didn't feel like pressure just a gentle teasing in a new direction

    “Everything was encouraged, allowed - there were no rights and wrong with how things landed for us. It didn't feel like pressure just a gentle teasing in a new direction. Loved it!"

    Sophia Chowdry, Film Set Decorator - small group coaching program

  • I have felt myself feel more settled, more accepting of myself and more able to meet the challenges in my life.

    Thank you so much Kirstien and Sarah. This has been a brilliant experience. Week by week I have felt myself feel more settled, more accepting of myself and more able to meet the challenges in my life. From the moment I set foot in the field, you helped me to feel welcome and at ease. I’m so grateful for this opportunity to spend time with such a wise, kind group of people in such a beautiful space.

    Tallulah Street, Yoga Teacher (after 3 month psychological fitness program)

  • I've seen its possible to live without blame and let go of heaviness from the past

    “I’ve touched an incredible deep sense of wellbeing that can’t be taken away, even by illness or death.

    In my moments of insight I have felt light and free, and really really well in a deeply peaceful way. I’ve seen that it’s possible to live without blame and to let go of lots of heaviness from the past I was still carrying”.

    Pip Jones Mindfulness & Breathworks Director of Skylarker, after 6-month small group coaching program

  • I am motivated to take on the world with new ideas and a fresh perspective.

    “Every time I speak to Kirstien I am, myself, motivated to take on the world with new ideas and a fresh perspective, and I am grateful to have got to know her over these last years.”

    Sara Ledger, Research & Development Manager, Babylifeline

  • I find Kirstien's commitment to transforming issues and difficulties refreshing and inspiring

    I have had the pleasure of working with Kirstien for over 5 years. As well as becoming a valued friend my experience is that she brings with her a high level of willingness to create great relationships, great work and has consistently produced great results. I find her commitment to transforming issues and difficulties refreshing and inspiring and I am constantly surprised at her level of ability in perceiving what works. I know that her wealth of personal qualities and background experience will always make a big difference for people.

    Simon Daly, Director InterBe, Transformative Learning & Development

  • Nothing has come as close to being as transformative

    In my 20 years in the workplace I have experienced a lot of training. Nothing has come close to being as transformative as what Kirstien and Claire invited us to experience. If you get the chance, take it in a heartbeat!

    Dr Crystal Moore, Deputy Director Head Flood and Incidence Management, Environment Agency after 1 year Resilience Program