Write to Freedom is an award winning registered
UK charity specialising in the support of socially disadvantaged groups and individuals into personal and professional development
through the written and spoken word, wild nature and community (re) integration. For the last 18
months, charity founder, Caspar Walsh has run a series of writing and wilderness retreats for individuals in recovery from
various addictions and in a 12 Step fellowship programme. Caspar has been in recovery for 23 years and has an extensive background
in therapeutic support work, group facilitation, one to one mentoring and in delivering dynamic and transformative
writing workshops. The 12 Step fellowship members attending the retreats are wide ranging, including those recovering from
drugs, alcohol, food, gambling, work, sex and love addiction. It is suggested
retreatants have a minimum of a year in their chosen fellowship to attend these retreats.
History
The
first series of recovery and writing retreats were held at The Barn Retreat Centre on the stunning Sharpham Trust estate in
South Devon between 2010 and 2011. These were very successful, providing a powerful container and platform for individuals
to explore their relationship with the 12 Steps through meditation, writing, group work, one to one mentoring and plenty of
time out in nature.
Development
To expand the scope
of the writing and outdoor focus we have moved to High Heathercombe Educational Centre Dartmoor: http://heathercombe.com/Heathercombe/Welcome_to_Heathercombe.htmlWe've been running our highly successful young prisoner programme there for the last 4 years so we know the site
and the breathtaking surrounding scenery well. We have just completed
the first 12 Step Recovery weekend writing and wilderness retreat at High Heathercombe in December 2011.
This went even better than imagined and is a healthy progression and deepening of the initial retreats at Sharpham.
Some feedback from
the most recent Write to Freedom Recovery and writing retreats:
“Having
met the gentle challenges at Write to Freedom I returned home feeling restored, refreshed and motivated, not to mention extremely
mellow and chilled out.”- H.D London
“During
the weekend, Nature became series of 'presences' that worked into my imagination in very beautiful ways.” - P.B. London
“I learnt to value myself and my time.” - T.P. Devon
We are now putting on a 6 day 12 Step Recovery and writing retreat at
Heathercombe in August 2012. Friday 17th to Thursday 24th.
The retreat will focus
on: Steps 3 and 11; meditation and Metta practice; group
work and 'Inquiry'; outdoor and indoor
writing 'adventures'; writing sharing
and feedback;
one to one sessions and tutorial; daily work and cooking together in the house; and an extended period of held silence
The
cost for the retreat will be on a sliding scale from £580 down to £380. You decide what you pay based on your income, no
questions asked. The fee includes basic bunk bed, dorm. accommodation
(single sex), all food, teas, coffees, juices, nice bikkies and all teaching. There is no charge
for any 12 Step related teaching. You will need to pay a 50% deposit of your chosen
fee by June 1st 2012.The
full retreat fee is due no later than July 1st 2012. There is no refund
for the deposit or full retreat fee except in exceptional circumstances – where the fee can be carried over to another
retreat. There is an option to camp for those who want a little
wilder experience. We can accept post dated cheques that lead up to
and are cleared by July 1st if this makes payment easier. The retreat will
run with a minimum of 5 retreatants and a maximum of 12. There will be two staff, including lead facilitator Caspar and an
assistant for up 9 retreatants. For
10 retreatants and over there will be two assistants plus Caspar. There will also
be a weekend 12 Step Recovery and writing retreat on the 30th November to 3rd December 2012. If you have any questions: casparwalsh (at symbol) hotmail.co.uk07771 561 44701803 863 928 www.casparwalsh.co.uk
Write to Freedom is seeking core funding for the daily running of the charity, for the 12 Step writing retreats and the young
prisoner programmes, so we can support those on low incomes.All amounts warmly welcomed!
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