Nature Immersion & Connection with like-minded souls, fantastic facilitators and a guided programme that will leave you refreshed and renewed!
 
Join us as we mindfully emerge from lockdown restrictions, honour the enormity of the last fifteen months and celebrate the coming of summer. You will have the opportunity to:
Shake off lockdown fatigue and integrate lockdown learnings
Deepen your connection with yourself, each other and nature
Play in solo time, facilitated practices and held group processes
Access your authentic needs and responses to this unique time
Release into connection and holding in an intimate group (max 12)
Be nourished by hearty food, folk and vibrant surroundings
Come away relaxed, renewed and re-oriented
We will deliver an inclusive, immersive workshop enabling you to encounter yourself and your questions about what's being asked of us in this mercurial moment, all within the sweet holding of The Hearth's natural surroundings, featuring:
nature immersion in a lovingly stewarded, semi-wilded valley
nature-based mindfulness exercises & practices
skilled therapeutic holding from experienced facilitators
exploring your relationship to this moment
nourishing, organic, locally sourced, plant-based food provided
camping with hot outdoor showers and optional glamping upgrade
inspiration from ecopsychology principles, Joanna Macy’s “Work that Reconnects” and Bill Plotkin’s Nature-based Map of the Human Psyche
 
The weekend will be COVID-safe with physical distancing measures in place. All group facilities are outdoors or in open-sided shelter. If you have any concerns please discuss with us.
 
Basic Information (further details below):
Venue: The Hearth Retreat
Accommodation: camping or glamping
Delicious organic, plant-based food and hot drinks provided
Facilitators: Freddy Weaver and Bethan Evans
 
FACILITATORS:
 
Freddy Weaver is an accredited Integrative counsellor with extensive training and experience in addiction psychology, trauma work and eco-therapy. Having worked in leading rehabilitation settings in the UK and Europe, he settled in Devon to raise a family, study indigenous wisdom at Schumacher College and ecopsychology at the Natural Academy.
 
He practices therapy in the woods at the The Hearth, as well as in Totnes, Devon, facilitates for Write to Freedom (a Dartmoor-based charity running residential rites of passage, mindfulness and nature connection experiences for recovering addicts) and is tending the sparks of the Hearth’s ignition, alongside his own ongoing expansion into wholeness.
 
Testimonial: “Freddy has a real affinity with the land - his gentle guidance, mischief-making and ease in which he holds space has had a profound effect in deepening my nature connection.” Ali, Write to Freedom
 
Bethan Evans is a certified and experienced Shadow Work coach, workshop leader and Alexander Technique teacher. With compassion, empathy and understanding Bethan invites you to welcome yourself exactly as you are in each moment - the 'good', the 'bad' and the 'ugly'! Her aim is to create an accepting, non-judgmental space for whatever arises.
 
Bethan brings a lifelong desire to understand and to delve deeply into the challenges of life and what it is to be human, and also to contribute to creating a kinder and more just world with respect for inner and outer nature.
 
What people say:
"You led it so beautifully and skilfully and created a safe and loving space."
 
"I thought you... did an amazing job holding the space in such a safe and nourishing way, allowing me to explore."
 
"Your explanations and demonstrations are clear and fun. Great facilitation."
"Wonderful facilitator, warm and caring."
 
VENUE: A sixteen acre sanctuary in south Devon, 15mins drive from Totnes (mainline rail station direct from London and Bristol) and 10 mins drive from the A38, for those driving. The site is based around an old disused quarry which provides the slate-hewn shelter of the Hearthside, and a steep and wooded valley with a stream running through the land. Group sessions will be held outdoors in the Hearthside space and the woods, and if rainy there’s an atmospheric old barn in which to shelter and share. The land is gratefully stewarded by Helena and Freddy Weaver and their growing family, with support from Devon Wildlife Trust to welcome and expand biodiversity.
 
Venue Testimonials: “The Hearth Retreat is one of the most exceptionally beautiful and magical places I’ve ever had the pleasure of spending time.” Will
 
“Whether you want to go for sunlight dappled walks in woodlands, or lie in grass meadows looking at the stars The Hearth is a place where time slows down and you can just simply enjoy.” Tom
 
“The environment is spectacular creating the most restful of spaces, to think, to be, to rejuvenate and remember we are nature.” Ali
 
ACCOMODATION:
 
Camping: Your spacious camping pitch with lovely views and hot outdoor showers is included in the retreat cost.
 
Glamping: There are two further accommodation options – the Wildflower Cabin and Apple Wagon. They are both lovingly curated, handcrafted spaces that are designed to maximise sun, light and seclusion. For the retreat they will be as advertised on the Airbnb pages (links in blue) but sharing showers and compost loos with other retreatants. They are therefore being offered at reduced prices (Wildflower Cabin £50 p/n and Apple Wagon £25 p/n) so if you would like a bit more comfort then get in touch directly to book either space when purchasing your retreat ~ contact@thehearthdevon.com
 
Wildflower Cabin: “The Wildflower Cabin is one of my favourite places on Earth” - Tom
 
“A magnificent experience! So much care, consideration and cosiness.” – Theodore
 
“A magical stay, secluded and surrounded by nature. With beautiful views. Every little detail was so well thought through.” Sarah
 
Apple Wagon: “What a beautiful place nestled in magical surroundings. The wagon has everything you need - super cosy and cute.” Nour
 
FOOD: we believe that on retreat you can better soak up the good stuff when released from everyday practicalities. So come and be nourished with delicious, organic, plant-based food cooked by an excellent local chef.
 
We will provide breakfast, lunch and dinner, with gluten (and dairy) free options. Sadly we can’t cater for any further restrictions, but do feel free to bring your own food should you need. There will be fridge, freezer and simple gas hob access. We advise bringing a few of your own snacks too, if you’d like to follow your own appetite’s timing.
 
Herbal teas, “normal teas” and coffee will be available on tap.