St Mary’s and National Trust team up to host special retreat

We are delighted to invite people living with a life-limiting condition, carers and those experiencing bereavement to take time for themselves at a special Wellbeing Retreat Day at Wray Castle this autumn, delivered in partnership with the National Trust.

Taking place on Friday 23rd October from 10.30am to 3pm, the retreat will give participants the opportunity to slow down, reconnect and restore.

The event is part of Branches of Care – a collaboration between St Mary’s Hospice and the National Trust, offering gentle, nature-based wellbeing activities for people living with life-limiting conditions (including dementia), carers and those experiencing bereavement in beautiful Lake District settings.

The retreat has been designed as a calm and nurturing space away from the demands of everyday life. Participants will be invited to experience mindful grounding, calming breathwork, gentle somatic movement, flowing Qigong and a relaxing sound bath. A light lunch will also be provided.

Alongside the retreat, St Mary’s Hospice and the National Trust are also bringing their partnership to the wider community through the Compassionate Cafe at Wray. The café provides a welcoming space for people to come together, connect with others and find support around some of life’s most difficult experiences.

Lynsey Lawson, Head of Community Services at St Mary’s Hospice, said: “We know that when someone is living with a life-limiting condition, caring for someone close to them or experiencing grief, it can be so important to have somewhere safe and welcoming where they can simply be themselves.

“Our partnership with the National Trust gives us a wonderful opportunity to take our support beyond traditional settings and into the places and spaces where people live, connect and spend time together.

“The Wellbeing Retreat Day is about giving people permission to pause. Through nature, gentle movement, mindfulness and connection, we hope to create a day where people can step away from the pressures of everyday life and focus on their own wellbeing.

“The Compassionate Cafe at Wray complements this beautifully by providing an ongoing opportunity for people to come together, talk, listen and feel connected. We are delighted to be working alongside the National Trust to create these welcoming spaces and to explore the positive impact that nature and community can have on wellbeing.”