Retreats
Look after your mind, body and emotions with our three-day residential Living Well Retreats held at our beautiful wellbeing centre in Pill (near Bristol).
The restorative Retreat programmes build on our online and information-based services, with an opportunity to come together with others with similar experiences in a tranquil, relaxed setting. Together we will explore and experience how simple lifestyle changes and self-care tools can support your health and wellbeing with cancer.
We offer two Retreat programmes, including one for those with an advanced cancer diagnosis. Both Retreats aim to nourish your mind, body, spirit and emotions with relaxation techniques, restorative movement, deliciously nutritious food, and other uplifting activities.
At the end of each day, you can enjoy a comfortable stay in one of our ensuite bedrooms, with all meals & snacks provided for the duration of your stay (3 days, 2 nights).
- For those travelling from further away, there is the opportunity to stay at our centre the night before the June and November retreats on a bed and light breakfast basis. Availability is limited so please enquire when making your booking.
2024 retreat dates:
- Tuesday 11 – Thursday 13 June: for those living with an advanced diagnosis
- Friday 13 – Sunday 15 September
- Tuesday 15 – Thursday 17 October
- Tuesday 26 – Thursday 28 November: for those living with an advanced diagnosis
Book onto a Retreat
Who are the retreats for?
The programmes are designed for people living with cancer who have had limited experience of using lifestyle and complementary approaches to support their health and wellbeing.
We have limited places available and want to ensure that they benefit those who most need support at this time. The Retreats are most suitable for adults over 18 who:
- Have been diagnosed with cancer within the last 5 years or are living with an advanced diagnosis.
- Have not attended a Penny Brohn UK Retreat within the last 12 months
- Feel physically and mentally resilient enough to participate in a group programme
What does it cost?
As a charity we want to ensure that our services are available to anyone who needs support, regardless of their circumstances. The cost of running the Retreats is over £500 per person and thanks to the generous support of the Walk The Walk foundation, we are able to cover much of this, however, where possible we ask for a contribution towards the cost of food and accommodation.
The full contribution is £185 (single occupancy) or £250 (if you are bringing someone with you). If you are unable to afford this right now, please don’t worry, we know that times are difficult for many and if you need financial support to join the Retreat, we have may be able to help with some or all of the contribution, as well as travel or childcare costs (please see our FAQs below).
What to do next
How do I request a place?
You can request a place for your chosen retreat by following the steps below. Please only request a place on one Retreat at a time.
If you have not used Penny Brohn UK services before, you will need to complete a short registration form. Once complete please return to this page to continue with your Retreat booking request.
Select the Retreat and date of your choice from the list below and click ‘Book’ to request your place. The Retreat will be added to your basket.
Complete the checkout process and ignore references to payment, you will not be charged at this stage.
Once you have submitted your request to join the Retreat we will send you an email with a Personal Information form to complete and return to us. You can use the form to let us know of any special needs you have, and if you require financial support. If you do not receive the email within 24 hours, please check your junk/spam inbox.
If your preferred retreat is full you will be added to the waiting list. If you are added to the waiting list, please still fill out your Personal Information form as this will make the process quicker should you be accepted. Places will be offered in order to those on the waiting list. If a place becomes available and you are contacted please respond as soon as possible to secure your place otherwise it may be offered to the next person.
What will happen next?
Within approximately 21 days of returning your Personal Information (PI) form we will be in touch (via email) to confirm if we are able to offer a place on your chosen Retreat* and will send you a link to pay a contribution (if you have said you are able to do this). We will also contact you (via email) if you have asked for financial assistance with travel and/or childcare costs. Priority is given to processing PI forms related to the next upcoming Retreat. Future Retreats will then be processed in order of occurrence.
Once the contribution and/or financial support is arranged, you will receive a confirmation of your place on the Retreat along with further details (via email).
*If due to demand, we are unable to offer a place for your first choice of dates you will be notified and put on a waiting list in case places become available. If you have any other questions about our Retreats please get in touch by calling 0303 3000 118 or emailing clientsupport@pennybrohn.org.uk.
Frequently Asked Questions
The Living Well with Advanced Cancer Retreats are for those with a secondary or metastatic diagnosis who would prefer to join a group with others who have this experience. The programme is similar to our Living Well with Cancer Retreat but has a slightly more relaxed pace and is supported by a medically qualified person staying at the centre overnight. They will not be able to provide any form of medical treatment, dispense medications or help with personal care but will be able to assist you in getting urgent medical support if needed. Anyone living with an advanced cancer diagnosis is welcome to join either programme.
Our Retreats are designed with you in mind, however we understand that you may want to bring a loved one or carer with you, therefore supporters are welcome to stay with you and eat with the group during the retreat. Unfortunately, as places are limited supporters will not normally be able to join the Retreat activities, but they can enjoy relaxing in our beautiful house and gardens and explore the local area if they wish. If you would like to bring someone with you, you can let us know this when you request your place.
We have a small fund available to provide support for those who require this to join the Retreat. Funds can be requested to support with:
The contribution for accommodation and meals. We can offer a reduced rate of £95 for single occupancy or £160 if you are bringing someone with you.
Up to £100 per 24 hours towards childcare costs* if you are the parent of a child under 16 years old
Travel by car or public transport*, further information and limits can be provided.
*Our finance team will require a receipt or other proof of payment.
Information about facilities at our centre along with recommended items to bring with you will be sent to you before joining the Retreat.
We will have support staff on site overnight at each retreat in case of emergency.
On our Living Well Retreats the staff will be trained in first aid but they will not be able to provide any form of medical treatment, dispense medications or help with personal care.
On Living Well with Advanced Cancer Retreats we will have a medically qualified person staying at the centre overnight. They will not be able to provide any form of medical treatment, dispense medications or help with personal care but will be able to assist you to get urgent medical support if needed. They will be able to assist you to get urgent medical support if needed.
When completing your Personal Information form to request your place you will be asked about any additional needs you may have, including for example any hearing, vision, mobility needs; or other support requirements that would help make your stay more comfortable. Where possible we will seek to accommodate any additional needs required. If you would like to talk to someone more specifically about your needs, please contact a member of our client support team.
Absolutely! If you haven’t already, we recommend joining one of our ‘Welcome to Penny Brohn UK’ online sessions on Tuesdays at 10am to help you understand more about our services and support. Click here to find out more and book your place.
If the retreat is not right for you at this time, please take a look at other in person and online services we have available or call our client support team on 0303 3000 118.
Please only select and book one retreat date as this helps us to manage our waiting lists.
