Many of us have experienced burn-out - especially those of us dedicated to a particular cause - and this retreat offers practical resources to help nourish you in your daily life and work.

You might be a teacher, an activist or campaigner, a care-giver or someone in the helping professions in the service of others. You might just be suffering from burn-out in whatever role you're in.

This 4-night programme is for anyone driven by a strong sense of purpose to make the world a better place.

This retreat takes place in the very special setting of Grade 1-listed Sharpham House in South Devon, surrounded by tranquil gardens within a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

This retreat is for you if

• You need rest, replenishment, renewal and inspiration.
• You've experienced or are becoming concerned about the early signs of burn-out.
• You tend to drive yourself, resulting in regular feelings of stress, exhaustion, anxiety and overwhelm.
• You want to increase your personal resilience and self-care in a safe and supportive setting.
• You'd benefit from reflection and connecting to nature and your creativity, far away from the busy-ness of your day-to-day life and work.
• You're interested in creatively enquiring into your relationship with your work in the world.
• You want to explore how to remain active in your purpose to make the world a better place whilst overcoming cycles of burn-out.
• You'd like to meet and learn from others on a similar journey.

During this retreat you'll

• Experience a unique synthesis of mindfulness, creative enquiry and nature-connection to enhance your personal resilience, taking on skills and tools to use in your life and work.
• Explore a contribution to the world through self-care and self-compassion.
• Learn or deepen your experience of how meditation and mindfulness can support your daily life and the balance between ‘being and doing’.
• Learn to say NO with a good heart (and a clear conscience)
• Recognise and become familiar with the early signs of burn-out and stress, exploring tools and strategies to avoid repeating the cycle.
• Learn how acting from a place of urgency and desperation can be counter-productive to your effectiveness - and explore alternatives.
• Share lovingly prepared home-cooked meals.
• Have time for personal reflection and exploring your own work-rest balance.

If you know of someone who would benefit from this opportunity you can also gift a place on the programme.

Mindfulness in nature at Sharpham

When you experience Sharpham's inspiring and nourishing environment, we hope you'll connect spiritually with the natural world, so you’ll:

• become aware of how we are all part of nature - not artificially separate from it
• pay attention to and appreciate the natural world surrounding us
• explore nature through your senses and your natural creativity
• Tread more lightly on our finite planet, developing a respect and reverence for all living things

Click here to read our ethos and principles

What might you bring?

If you decide to stay with us, we’ll send you a list of what you need to bring for this retreat in your Welcome Letter. But you might consider the following:

• Comfy clothes for meditation, movement and relaxation
• Slippers (we supply some, but you might prefer your own)
• A journal or notepad if you want to write or draw during your time here
• Walking boots – we have wonderful footpaths and routes to explore
• Running gear if you’re a jogger. Some participants love to run on the lanes and footpaths near Sharpham

Find out more about staying in Sharpham House on our Frequently Asked Questions page.

Our food & your dietary needs

The retreat is full-board with delicious home-cooked vegetarian food. 

In line with sustainable practices across the Estate, our cooks produce seasonal, vegetarian food for our guests. We source food whenever possible from our kitchen garden and support local food suppliers. 

Food allergies & intolerances
Please tell us well in advance of your stay of any food allergies or intolerances you may have.

You can tell us this on the Booking Form via a link we send you in your confirmation email.

Your physical and mental health

This retreat is suitable for you if you have meditation and retreat experience.

Although meditation and mindfulness can be helpful in managing stress, depression and anxiety our retreats might not be suitable if you are experiencing major depression or other clinically diagnosed psychiatric illness such as bipolar disorder, psychosis or current self-harming. Click here for more information and for our booking process.

We have an accessible en-suite bedroom The Clare Milne Room – click here for details on how to book this room

If you have a medical condition that requires you to have an en-suite room, please contact our Programme Administrator on the number below as these rooms are limited and are bookable on a first-come first-serve basis.

Every time I come here, the ambience of the House and surroundings infuse me with a wonderful sense of well-being