What Participants say...
Ali J - Mar 2017
"At this retreat I have felt positively the safest space ever to share my authentic self. There has been such a caring and supportive opportunity to open up to some of my most painful fears about myself – and in so doing to have felt the deepest levels of self-acceptance from the other participants – under the skillful guidance of Penny and Vicky – the retreat leaders.
I have felt deeply renewed with new insights about my own fears and insecurities. I have had fun, enjoyed good food and companionship and increased my self-confidence. It has been a really positive and nourishing experience that I would recommend to anyone who has inner struggles they wish to resolve or let fall away."
I have felt deeply renewed with new insights about my own fears and insecurities. I have had fun, enjoyed good food and companionship and increased my self-confidence. It has been a really positive and nourishing experience that I would recommend to anyone who has inner struggles they wish to resolve or let fall away."
Bob - Mar 2017
"The group was beautifully held and I had a deep experience of trust and safety. Because of that, people felt able to share and explore topics that were often tender and vulnerable. Everyone was enriched and inspired by each other and the contributions of the facilitators. The retreat was skillfully organized so that meals and rest times were easily enjoyed. Mealtimes were doubly nourishing. All this in a beautiful environment."
Beth - Mar 2017
“I was in a low space before the retreat so was feeling worried about whether my emotions might be too much or overwhelming.
I found that through the real expression of how I was feeling and being heard and accepted and listening to others express themselves that this led to a space of freedom, connection, acceptance and creativity. My engagement and appreciation of life and others returned. It felt like a rich, fun and safe space.
My understanding and appreciation of NVC deepened along with my understanding of myself and others. I left feeling more able to bring NVC into my everyday life. Thank you “
I found that through the real expression of how I was feeling and being heard and accepted and listening to others express themselves that this led to a space of freedom, connection, acceptance and creativity. My engagement and appreciation of life and others returned. It felt like a rich, fun and safe space.
My understanding and appreciation of NVC deepened along with my understanding of myself and others. I left feeling more able to bring NVC into my everyday life. Thank you “
VG - Mar 2017
A place wComing to the retreat has been like going to heaven: like an ideal, nourishing holiday. It has been a beautiful bath of unconditional love and acceptance, full of insights, inspiration and deep connection. A place where it is safe to fully express every part of me and feel myself opening up and blossoming within that space of love compassion and acceptance. It has been a chance to process past trauma within the context of the present and see new ways to truly express myself whilst holding care for others and the possibility to take that back out into my life in a practical way.
Paul R - Feb 2016 'Come to Life Retreat' participant
I felt so nourished on every level - a wonderful holiday in a beautiful place with such love, compassion and support for my inner journey and the privilege of sharing in that of others.
The touching of hearts in deep human connection; being able to share past traumas and present pain whilst being held and gently guided in a totally safe environment with utmost gentleness and care to the point of transformation and a new life emerging within.
I loved the spontaneity of living in the present and totally honouring everyone's needs; the insights and beauty of the morning readings; the silent pauses; the humour, richness and variety and the wonderful meals!
Paul R
The touching of hearts in deep human connection; being able to share past traumas and present pain whilst being held and gently guided in a totally safe environment with utmost gentleness and care to the point of transformation and a new life emerging within.
I loved the spontaneity of living in the present and totally honouring everyone's needs; the insights and beauty of the morning readings; the silent pauses; the humour, richness and variety and the wonderful meals!
Paul R
Therese Bentley - Feb 2016 'Come to Life Retreat' participant
I have been deeply seen, heard and received in all my complexity and I know that I am loved. It has been nourishing - physically, emotionally and spiritually - Thank you!
Helen O'Grady - Feb 2015 'Come to Life Retreat' participant
"This was my first NVC retreat and although I wasn't sure quite what to expect I felt sure that I the experience would be nourishing and healing for me and I was certainly not disappointed.
My time spent on the Come to Life retreat touched me deeply: the sense of safety; the tenderness, care, warmth and skill with which Penny and Vicky held the group; their authentic sharing of themselves and their wealth of knowledge, experience and wisdom; the sense of acceptance of me as I am and of everybody as they were; the feeling of belonging and of each person really mattering; the receiving of me and my pain as a gift to others and receiving others and their pain as a gift to me. This experience helped me to gain more acceptance of my pain and struggles and to see them as having their place and to want to hold all that lies within me with great care and compassion and appreciation for it's gift of helping me to expand my view and my heart.
For me the retreat was a powerful learning experience in how to live non-violently, both inwardly towards myself and outwardly towards others.
There was a real sense of community and of care for one another. I felt as though I were part of a family, but the kind that felt safe and loving.
One of my most treasured memories is of us all sitting together in the lounge playing games and laughing and enjoying being together.
On returning home after the retreat, I felt peaceful, full of hope and happy and comforted by the memories of the week. The experience helps me to know that there is a way to experience meaningful and joyful connection with others which feels safe and it helps me to trust that I can cultivate the love for myself that I so long for.
Besides all that I was also deeply nourished by the delicious food and by the stunning beauty which surrounds Altcafan."
My time spent on the Come to Life retreat touched me deeply: the sense of safety; the tenderness, care, warmth and skill with which Penny and Vicky held the group; their authentic sharing of themselves and their wealth of knowledge, experience and wisdom; the sense of acceptance of me as I am and of everybody as they were; the feeling of belonging and of each person really mattering; the receiving of me and my pain as a gift to others and receiving others and their pain as a gift to me. This experience helped me to gain more acceptance of my pain and struggles and to see them as having their place and to want to hold all that lies within me with great care and compassion and appreciation for it's gift of helping me to expand my view and my heart.
For me the retreat was a powerful learning experience in how to live non-violently, both inwardly towards myself and outwardly towards others.
There was a real sense of community and of care for one another. I felt as though I were part of a family, but the kind that felt safe and loving.
One of my most treasured memories is of us all sitting together in the lounge playing games and laughing and enjoying being together.
On returning home after the retreat, I felt peaceful, full of hope and happy and comforted by the memories of the week. The experience helps me to know that there is a way to experience meaningful and joyful connection with others which feels safe and it helps me to trust that I can cultivate the love for myself that I so long for.
Besides all that I was also deeply nourished by the delicious food and by the stunning beauty which surrounds Altcafan."
Alex Marshall - Feb 2015 'Come to Life Retreat' participant
"This morning as I came down for re-entry into family life, I became aware of being aware of a much greater degree of emotional nuance to how I was feeling, and the needs that that was pointing to.
I felt that was a tremendous breakthrough for me and in the words of my son definitely points to me getting it! "
I felt that was a tremendous breakthrough for me and in the words of my son definitely points to me getting it! "
Lisa Mundle - Oct 2015 'Come to Life Retreat' participant
"This being alongside one another and witnessing each other's journey as we struggle to find and bring forth more compassion for ourself and others...it gives me the strength to visit places inside myself that I dared not touch before.
I found new possibilities of engaging with challenges that seemed insurmountable before."
I found new possibilities of engaging with challenges that seemed insurmountable before."
Jane Powell - Feb 2015 'Come to Life Retreat' participant
"I have been letting the insights of the retreat settle a bit and found much benefit.
For me it was amongst other things a very precious opportunity to practice being with others, and to explore that edge between
the needs of the I and of the We, which somehow are distinct but can't be separated.
So difficult, so beautiful, and I am still processing it."
For me it was amongst other things a very precious opportunity to practice being with others, and to explore that edge between
the needs of the I and of the We, which somehow are distinct but can't be separated.
So difficult, so beautiful, and I am still processing it."
