When storm Eunice blew into our lives, we did not think we would be cancelling the retreat two days before we were due to head off on it. The storm had damaged the roofs at Folly Farm which meant it was no longer safe to stay in. We got the call late on the Friday night, so the team met up the next day to figure out what to do next.
We really didn’t want to let the young people down especially as we were so close to retreat starting. The team pulled together to work out how we can still offer the retreat experience right here in Bristol across the same dates. Call it the ‘At Home Retreat’ if you will.
After a weekend of unexpected plan changes and just a tiny bit of stress, we adapted the schedule so we could deliver all of the amazing workshops we had planned at KWMC, KWMC The Factory and (at that point) an unconfirmed location in the city.
We are so fortunate to have KWMC as a base and we turned the downstairs of the building into our temporary retreat to welcome the cohort. The team were so adaptable and delivered Making Monday at KWCM and it was buzzing with activity!
It was touch and go to whether we would find the perfect space for the second day of the ‘At-home retreat’, but team Eight rallied together and booked the most gorgeous space for Take Action Tuesday at The Bristol Old Vic with one hour spare!
The wonderful Make with Meg came, giving the cohort an inspiring real-life example of what it’s like to be a working mother.
The session kick-started the group’s projects in the same way it would have done at the retreat space and being able to head out to the Harbourside for the photography workshop was a great bonus.
One of the aspects we appreciate most about escaping to Folly Farm on a retreat is that it really is an escape. In the past, we have had young people comment on how beautiful and noticeable the stars are which they don’t get at home. We had comments about how peaceful and relaxing the venue is and how having breakfast, lunch and dinner cooked for you every day is amazing.
We tried to replicate the retreat experience and allow for the bonds between the cohort to form even though the ‘At Home Retreat’ wasn’t as physically immersive.
We made sure there was breakfast and lunch available each day and to replicate the evening bonding we took everyone out for dinner which was so much fun.
Because the retreat is equally such a restful and inspiring experience, we decided that we will still be going to take the cohort to Folly Farm. We will soon be heading off and we are so excited. The cohort has also now spent so much time together that it’s going to feel like a joyful reunion when everyone steps onto the coach.
Rearranging a whole programme 2 days before you are due to start is never an ideal situation but I don’t think we would have had it any other way. The team and the cohort were so adaptable and we cannot thank the group enough for being so understanding with the last-minute plans.
The replanned retreat still included Maker Monday, Take Action Tuesday, Wind down Wednesday and all the other great activities that we had planned!
