Changemakers are people who take creative action to solve social problems. They are a vital force in making the world a better place. Yet they often put themselves in last place. Our Wellbeing for Changemakers programme, in partnership with the Academy of Wide-hearted Living, seeks to address this. From 8-10th July 2024, we hosted our first Wellbeing for Changemakers Creative Retreat. NOW’s Director, Roger Higman, was there. Here he explains what went on.
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“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed, citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.”
Margaret Mead
Changemakers are people who take creative action to solve social problems (Ashoka Foundation). They are found everywhere but especially in the voluntary sector and caring professions. They are a vital force in making the world a better place.
Changemaking involves empathy, thoughtfulness, creativity, activity and collaborative leadership. It also requires self care. Yet studies suggest that changemakers often put themselves in last place. For example, research conducted by Third Sector showed that 9 in 10 charity workers felt stress, overwhelm or burnout increase in and after the Covid pandemic.
That’s why, with support from the National Lottery Community Fund, we partnered the Academy of Wide-hearting Living to run a Wellbeing for Changemakers online programme in late 2023. The aim was to show how simple techniques can help people gauge their wellbeing while easy practices such as regular breaks, taking exercise , connecting to nature and harnessing our innate creativity can help to maintain and improve it. We repeated the sessions in Spring 2024 for groups supported by Community Action Groups (Devon).
Over 150 signed up and the feedback rated the them at 4.5 out of five. In some cases, participants suggested the experience had been life-changing.
The in-person retreat at Eden Rise was the culmination of the programme. We wanted to explore whether and how we could intensify the learning and strenghten the connections made by bringing people together to meet in person. We were also keen to find how we could boost the use of Eden Rise for mid-week retreats (as it is currently mainly booked out for weekends).
In the end, only seven pioneering individuals could spare the time but those that did enjoyed an experience to remember. We were beautifully hosted by Melissa from the Academy of Wide-hearted Living. We explored our creativity through drawing and writing, individually and together. We learnt new skills including gilding (above). We walked in nature, said “hello” to the local cows (below) and told stories by an open fire. We enjoyed Melissa’s lovely cooking including a regular supply of home-made biscuits. Some communed in the sauna and some even found time to bathe in the local river.
In the process, we learnt lots – about the restorative powers of rest, the joys of creative practice, the peace and calm of a natural environment and the inspiration of connecting with like minded people.
At the Network of Wellbeing, we reaffirmed our belief in the power of bringing people together. We’re keen to use Eden Rise more as a venue for wellbeing retreats – focusing on changemakers who act to make the world a better place. We want to show how focusing on simple things, together, can help us all lead happier, more fulfilled lives.
For the time being, we have to keep an eye on our finances as we do so. We want to explore what works. Are there funders interested in this work who could subsidise retreats? Can we persuade people to take time off for a mid-week retreat (as Eden Rise is usually booked at weekends)? Who else can we partner with? What balance of activities is most appealing?
If you’re interested in exploring this with us, either as a partner or a participant, please contact me on roger@networkofwellbeing.org
Photo Credit: Lydia Saul