Dr Nicole Schnackenberg and I have developed and now piloted Wellbeing Retreat Days for teaching staff. We had such a joyous time welcoming Teaching staff to Labyrinth House over 2 days in May and July 2023. The feedback has been incredible and we look forward to offering more of these Wellbeing Retreat Days in the 2023-2024 academic year.

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The Wellbeing Retreat Day project has been developed as a result of our interactions with teaching staff and awareness of the challenges (and joys) the role can bring. There has been concerning research outlining the way teaching staff are experiencing increased levels of stress and anxiety as a result of their work (Savill-Smith & Scanlan, 2022) and we feel it is important to find ways to address this. We believe that when the mental health of teaching staff is supported, this has a positive impact on the wellbeing of the pupils they work with (Glazzard and Rose, 2019). 

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Our Wellbeing Retreat Days are evidence-informed and draw on the ‘Six Ways to Wellbeing’ (Aked & Thompson, 2011; Basarkod et al. 2019). We incorporate our own training and interests, in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) approaches, embodied therapeutic approaches (Yoga and mindfulness) and reflective practice, to offer psychological based and practical ways to promote wellbeing. There is also an exclusive online resources folder that can be accessed after the sessions and which will have new resources added regularly. 

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The aim of the Wellbeing Retreat Day is to offer a space for reflection, relaxation, connection and collaboration and the feedback we have received suggests we achieved this with the first 2 days. We are very grateful to those that helped us pilot this project .

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Please register interest to join future Wellbeing Retreat Days via this form Wellbeing Retreat Day Form