IN DEATH AND IN GRIEF –
an immersive retreat for Interfaith ministers and students whose work is touched by death and grief
APRIL 17TH – 19TH AT POULSTONE COURT, HEREFORD
In the beautiful surroundings of Poulstone Court, we will, for a weekend, leave behind our every day. Together we will create a safe container in which to both take care of our own relationship to death and to grief and consider what it is to be alongside others who are facing these thresholds.
Using creativity, ceremony, sharing, reflection, time alone, meditation, the tranquil gardens and the guidance of nature, we will courageously welcome in our vulnerability and resilience. I hope when we rejoin the ‘world’ we will feel we have been nourished, nurtured and resourced.
To get a flavour of the retreat and what I think is important about this work, please watch these a short Q&A video with Lauren and myself here or here.
If you’d like to ask me anything about the retreat content, please write to me here. If you’d like to find out more about the house, public transport or anything else, please go to the One Spirit website, where you can also book your place.
The cost for students and ROSIM members is £384 which can be paid in 3 installments of £128 if need be. The cost for non-ROSIM members is £480 or 3 installments of £160.
I very much hope to see you there!
DYING MATTERS AWARENESS WEEK
I have long been wishing and working towards bringing the conversation about death and dying out of the shadows and back into life where it belongs. Dying Matters Week, a UK wide, Hospice UK initiative, has been helping us as a society do the same thing for many years now. All over the UK communities will be putting on events to help us discuss what is inevitable for every single one of us, by courtesy of the fact that we are alive.
Below is the event I am hosting in my local village – timings and venue on the flyer.
If you haven’t already been to a Death Cafe, then I recommend you do. We nourish ourselves with tea and cake, while we talk about anything we need to around death and dying. It is informal, gentle and helps break the taboo. After attending, most people feel comforted and relieved.
Some of you will have seen the highly acclaimed documentary – Threshold – made by Florence Brown. Florence will be in South Brent to answer questions about her journey of making the film and how her relationship to death and to grief evolved over the time. I will be there too (of course!!) I will then lead MoorHeart Threshold singers in the kindest, most gentle songs you may have ever heard.
You can just arrive on the door but we would very much appreciate knowing if you would like to attend (after all, we don’t want to run out of cake!). Please write to me here and tell me you are coming. There is no charge, though we would appreciate donations to help us pay for the hall and refreshments.
You can come to one or other of the sessions but honestly, I would recommend staying for both if you can. I hope to see you there.
OTHER EVENTS LOCALLY
EXETER: I – and my choir – will also be in EXETER LIBRARY at 7pm on Wednesday 6th May for an evening of poetry, music and talks.
TOTNES: I will also be in TOTNES on Saturday 9th May to do a Q&A with Sarah Parker from Dying with Grace in the morning and my choir will be there at the end of the day to sing you songs of solace. More information about events happening across South Devon on Dying with Grace website.
Creative Pathways for Loss and Life – save the date – booking open soon
Saturday July 18th from 10.30am to 4.30pm in Hallr Wood, Charlton Mackrell, near Somerton, Somerset
A day to be nurtured and nourished, resourced and accompanied, as you navigate the terrain of loss. Whether you are managing a bereavement, the break up of a relationship, coming to terms with a loss of health, or anguished by the desecration of this beautiful world or the inhumanity of war, please allow yourself to held in the nurturing environment of a beautiful woodland.
I will lead us in a day of creativity and reflection, play and sharing, warmth and beauty. I will be assisted by custodian of the wood, Deb Millar, who will welcome us and prepare us a nutritious lunch. The trees will be our friends as we write, draw and sing. I imagine there will be laughter and tears, depth and fun.
Please write to me to register your interest. Booking isn’t open quite yet but will be via Deb’s website. The cost is £40 for the day to include refreshments and lunch. Debs has managed to get some funding though, so concessionary prices are available and also some places for a donation. Group size will be small, so do let me know in good time if you would like to join us.
Clay Stories
IN PERSON
Our in person event last November was very well received and we are planning to offer more Clay Stories workshops in 2026. Maybe on board a BOAT! Stay in touch for more details. Subscribe to my blog to get information as soon as it becomes available.
Clay is an extraordinary medium and playing with it can help us bypass the busy mind and reach our more genuine feelings. Similarly, we can use writing in such a way that the process of writing illuminates what is true for us. Making or writing something “good” is not an intention. In this workshop, the interplay between clay and words, hands and heart, can bring us understanding and comfort in a time of grief.
Please be assured, you absolutely do not need to be a writer, ‘good’ at writing or have any previous experience of writing. This will be about the process of bringing out what is inside of you, not about producing a crafted piece.
“Brilliant facilitation… supportive and safe…wonderful…enlightening…resources to work with” -previous participants.
Bespoke Workshops/Groups/Retreats created for You
I want to provide what you would like. Below are some of the things I can offer. Please Invite me to run events for your group: RETREATS, DAY EVENTS OR COURSES in person (I can travel) or online. You gather the group and provide the venue (if applicable) and pay me as the facilitator. Any profit is yours. I work with many different people including individuals, businesses, organisations, special interest and friendship groups. Here’s what I do:
CREATIVE WRITING – to support you and help you express what is within you, using poetry, haiku, prose, fiction, non-fiction. CREATIVE PRACTICE GROUPS using image making, writing, clay, singing, nature and any other creative means the group would enjoy, to support and express grief.
SUPPORT GROUPS – small, bespoke groups to support and resource you, using creativity and sharing.
NATURE AS GUIDE –creativity as vehicle. Time spent in nature with creative invitations, to open you to the wisdom of the natural world and your part within it.
CURRICULUM FOR GRIEF – a short course, shedding light on the territory and process of grief
SINGING from our souls. Gathering to sing simple, acapella songs in harmony, to soothe our souls and send love and kindness into the world.
RITUALS -for major life events, (including funerals and memorial services) and seasonal
PLANNING YOUR OWN FUNERAL.
SHARING CIRCLES – facilitated groups to deeply listen and share your authentic and heart felt feelings around love and loss, life and death.
SUPERVISION groups for others working in the field of dying or grieving.
Although a lot of my work these days, especially group work, is geared towards those who are dying or grieving, it is not limited to that. I also work with women who are eldering, business people who are wearying and anyone looking for deeper meaning in their lives. Sometimes I work alone and sometimes in collaboration with others I trust who are very skilled in their field.
FOR ALL ENQUIRIES PLEASE CONTACT ME VIA MY CONTACT PAGE. You can also PM me on my instagram @livelovegrieve.