Sauchie Home Farm, Stirling
8th-10th August 2025
The multiple existential threats to our world seem worse every time we look at the news: species going extinct, plastic polluting the oceans, rising war and authoritarianism, ice caps melting at an unprecedented rate, the industrial growth economy spiralling out of control. The temptation is either to sink into despair or to hide away and pretend it’s not real!
How can we face the mess we’re in with resilience and creative power? Based on the work of Joanna Macy, the Work That Reconnects is an inspiring, interactive group process for anyone who longs to serve the healing of our world in a more powerful and effective way.
What can I expect?
This is a retreat weekend for activists in areas such as climate and justice, and for everyone concerned by the multiple existential threats facing our world, to help us reconnect with each other, restore our spirit, build our resilience and heal our relationship with the land.
We will be using group exercises, meditation, poetry and plenty of open space to support ourselves and each other, and we’ll take full advantage of the beautiful wild spaces we will be in.
Guided by a spiral of practices: Gratitude, Honouring Our Pain for the World, Seeing with New Eyes/Ancient Eyes, and Going Forth, we aim to facilitate an honest sharing of hopes and fears and to support participants to sustain long-term engagement and personal wellbeing.
“The Work That Reconnects helps people discover and experience their innate connections with each other and the self-healing powers of the web of life, transforming despair and overwhelm into inspired, collaborative action.”
– Joanna Macy
The retreat will be facilitated by Chris Booth, Kristine Mackenzie-Janson and Val King, and hosted by Val King and Clare McMahon.
You can book a place here.
When?
Arrive from 3pm on Friday 8th August. The weekend will start gently with an opening circle at around 4.30pm on the Friday, and close with lunch on Sunday 10th August. Plan transport home from 2pm on the Sunday.
Where is it? How do I get there?
The retreat is at Sauchie Home Farm, near Stirling. Train and bus links via Glasgow and Edinburgh. We can pick you up from Stirling Train or Bus Station, and will co-ordinate timings with you nearer the time. A Taxi with Sunny costs £10. Tel: 07880 858353.
If you are coming by car, bike, etc, the farm is located here: https://maps.app.goo.gl/aSnhCAyoS1khnT4u7
Where will I be sleeping?
There are two twin bedrooms in the Steading and a double sofa bed in the studio. We also have a 4-bed bunk room housed in one of the barns, another indoor space that can sleep 4, and two outdoor “pods” with room for 2 people.
There is also plenty of space to camp. For those who want a bit more luxury or privacy, there is also a cheap Premier Inn hotel not far away
What do I need to bring?
- Please bring a towel and a sleeping bag if you have one. Bring warm and comfortable clothes, including waterproofs as well as outdoor and indoor shoes. Camping gear if you would like to camp. A hat and sunscreen would be good (we hope to be outside for much of the time).
- Please bring a poem, song or story to share, if you would like to. You might also like to bring a journal. Feel free to bring a musical instrument.
- Please bring an object that has meaning for you and symbolises your love and gratitude for life on earth.
What about food?
Vegan and vegetarian food will be provided, from the evening meal on Friday, through to lunch on Sunday. We will ask everyone to help out with preparation and clearing up!
How many people will be there?
There will be a maximum of 16 participants.
What does it cost?
If you have no income, there’s no charge.
But if you can afford it, we are asking for a £40 donation to cover the cost of food. Any further donations to the project and the facilitators are welcome on a sliding scale, so finances are hopefully not an obstacle to attend. We suggest:
- Food only: £40
- Low income: £40 + £40 = £80
- Middle income: £40 + £120 = £160
- Higher income: £40 + £200 = £240 (or more if you’d like to support the project)
What does the programme look like?
The programme will be flexible and open to interpretation, collaboration and change according to need. Times are therefore in brackets as suggestions rather than rules. With that in mind, here is the outline plan as it looks at the moment:
Friday 8th August
From 3pm: Arrive and get settled
4:30 – 6pm: Opening Circle & Introduction to the Work That Reconnects
6 – 7:30pm: Evening meal and clearing up
7:30 – 8:30pm: Walking in nature and Labyrinth Reflection
Saturday 9th August
7:30 – 8:30 am: Early morning movement and meditation
8:30am: Breakfast and Clearing Up
10:00am: Honouring our Pain for the World
11.15am: Coffee break
11:45am: continue with Honouring our Pain – the Truth Mandala
1pm: Lunch and Clearing Up
2.30pm: Seeing with New Eyes – Widening Circles
3.45pm: Tea break
4.15pm: Council of All Beings
6pm: Supper and Clearing Up
7:30 – 9:30pm: Camp Fire with storytelling and Bodhisattva Check-in
Sunday 10th August
7:30 – 8:30 am: Early morning movement and meditation
8:30am: Breakfast and Clearing Up
10:00am: Going Forth – Callings and Resources
11.15am: Coffee break
11.45am: Closing Ritual
1pm: Lunch and Clearing Up
2pm: Goodbyes and leaving
Booking for the Work That Reconnects weekend
Please use this form if you’d like to book a place:
Any other questions?
Please contact Chris chris@gn.apc.org or Kristine kristine.m.janson@gmail.com.