5-day Bristol Retreat

This course will enable you to explore The Bristol Approach in more depth. The course provides you with a supportive space to explore the impact of cancer on your life and identify opportunities for personal growth within your experiences. You will have a chance to add to your experience of relaxation, meditation and imagery and learn how to use these techniques.

When should you come?

Most people attend the 5-day Bristol Retreat course with some knowledge of The Bristol Approach and self-help techniques. You should attend:

• If you would like to explore your situation at depth within a supportive group setting
• At any time from diagnosis, through treatment or when treatments have finished and you want to support your recovery and maintain good health
• At a change of circumstances e.g. diagnosis of secondary cancer
• When you want to look at supporting your quality of life
• When you want support and time out to review your situation

Entry requirements

Before booking on this course, we ask you to watch the DVD/video: The Bristol Approach to Living with Cancer, which is included in our Self-Help Starter Pack.

Course outline

Each day begins with a gentle stretch and breathe session and throughout the course you will be led through relaxation, meditation and imagery exercises. You will arrive on the evening before, to allow time to settle in and meet the group. Breakfast, lunch, dinner and refreshments are provided throughout your stay, This course is led by a Psychotherapist and Healer and involves a mixture of activities. You will spend time in the group as well as in individual sessions and you will also have some personal time for quiet reflection. We will provide a safe space for you to reduce feelings of isolation and fear and to share experiences with people in similar situations.

On the course you will learn:

• About The Bristol Approach
• The scientific principles underpinning the approach
• How to use relaxation, meditation and imagery
• About our healthy eating guidelines

You will have individual appointments (45 minute sessions) with a:

• Nutritional therapist
• Psychotherapist
• Doctor
• Art therapist in a small group setting
• Massage or shiatsu practitioner
• Healer (2 sessions)

As a group there will be time to explore:

• The impact of cancer on your life
• Your personal needs and strengths
• Attitudes and habits that may hamper the healing process
• Your creativity and what inspires you
• The role you can play in supporting your health, wellbeing and quality of life

Benefits

• Experience a safe space to review and assess your lifestyle and needs
• Explore and release emotions
• Discover your inner strengths and resources
• Optimise the role you can play in supporting your own health and wellbeing
• Allow yourself time for rest, laughter and building new friendships

Course dates:

Sun 29 June - Fri 4 July 2008
Sun 20 July - Fri 25 July 2008
Sun 10 August - Fri 15 August 2008
Sun 21 September - Fri 26 September 2008
Sun 19 October - Fri 24 October 2008
Sun 9 November - Fri 14 November 2008
Sun 7 December - Fri 12 December 2008

We run approximately 1 - 2 courses every month please contact us via our helpline on 0845 123 23 10 to find out more about the courses and availability.

Costs

Out of necessity we have to charge a fee for our courses - this is because we receive no government funding and as a charity we rely on income from fundraising and course fees. The fee for the 5-day Bristol Approach residential course is £395 per person. This includes all food, accommodation, individual appointments and group work sessions. This rate has been subsidised by our fundraising efforts and does not reflect the actual cost of running the course. 

We appreciate that the costs of our courses can be a lot of money to find. There is financial assistance available please contact our helpline on 0845 123 23 10 to find out more.

To book 

To book call 01275 370 111 or bookings@pennybrohn.org