Woodlines 4-day Wellbeing Retreat for Doctors is an opportunity for you to step away from daily life with the headspace to focus on yourself and your needs
Doctors inherently have a very particular relationship with wellbeing. Thoughts of seeking support, or talking about feelings of vulnerability are often coupled with a sense of shame, or fear of judgement.
As healers, our training is filled with a vision of providing the best care for others. This retreat offers you a chance to take time to consider your own needs in a meaningful way, and be kind to yourself.
The power of this to make a difference should not be under-estimated.
Rest, refocus & invest in yourself
Our mission is to make events and spaces for you, our professional colleagues, and our profession, a part of the fabric rather than a peripheral after-thought.
On our journey to developing this retreat we have had guidance and support from so many helpful people and organisations.
Don’t miss this invaluable opportunity to rest, refocus and invest in yourself! Spaces are limited, so register today and take the first step towards a healthier, happier you.
Activities on offer to you at the retreat
The retreat venue, Sheepdrove Organic Farm, set in the heart of Berkshire countryside, offers the chance to to escape to a nurturing refuge for 4 days.
Join us to break away from the day to day and use the time to lean in and really take stock of what you need right now.
There will be the opportunity to try out some evidence-based activities designed to help you think purposefully about what you need to flourish, and explore how to manage the stressors and drains in your life and allow you to grow and feel valued.
Deep Relaxation Techniques
Let go of tension and find deep peace with practices like Forest Bathing and hiking.
Renewal and Reflection
Discover calming techniques and strategies for problem-solving and setting boundaries.
Mindful Nature Connection
Discover the healing power of the outdoors and develop a deeper appreciation for the natural world.
Mindfulness and Clarity
Gain a new perspective on your story and leave with a clear path towards more balance, wellbeing, and mindfulness.
Personal Growth Activities
Explore your story, set intentions for the future, and find a path towards greater balance and well-being.
Supportive
Community
Connect with other doctors in a safe and understanding space.
Mindful creativity
If you wish, you can try, sketching, painting and guided creative writing. The chance to put pen to paper for “fun” and without a specific task related purpose can have surprisingly enlightening results.
Storytelling
Storytelling workshops with Lalith Wijedoru provide a safe space for the sharing of stories as a group. This grounds the themes of the retreat conversations in the reality of the participants own experiences. No prior experience or knowledge required other than being a human.
Yoga & Sound Bathing
Laura and Maura @tranquilflowyoga expertly and gently combine yoga, breathing and relaxation techniques and sound to provide a deeply relaxing experience.
Nourishing Food
Savour a fully catered delicious and healthy vegetarian spread.
Leave this retreat feeling equipped with:
• A renewed sense of calm and clarity.
• Practical tools for stress management and self-care.
• A deeper understanding of yourself and your needs.
• A clear path towards more balance and fulfilment in your caring role.
Woodlines Doctors' Retreat is CPD certified
Retreats offer an immersive learning opportunity and safe environment for Doctors to:
- explore and address their individual well-being needs
- learn skills and strategies to apply in their onward personal and professional journey.
Each retreat will be delivered to a small group of doctors with a tailored range of coaching, workshops and wellbeing activities.
This retreat can be considered a business expense (for personal development) providing 16 hours of approved CPD training.
This CPD provision does not detract from the experience being a retreat in the traditional sense of the word!
You can do as little as you need to do…
at our invitation, and without any shame
There is no pressure to take part in group activities any more than YOU choose to, but our guests have all said that they have valued the “tacit, shared understanding” of being in a group of people who have also trained as doctors.
See below for an example running order to give you an idea of the activities available and the general timetable. Also included is a useful kit list to help you prepare for the retreat.
Retreat running order
This is a soft schedule and adapts according to how the days flow… eg. we might swap things around a little so that we make the most of weather variables.
Monday afternoon
Arrive and settle in: 2pm onwards
Tea and welcome session at 3.30pm
Walking tour of venue
Group activity (light hearted)
Supper and chill
Tuesday
Optional Morning walk
Breakfast
Morning Stretch/ yoga
Group session (Coaching/ Vision board)
Free/ outdoor time and 1:1 sessions
Lunch
Free/ outdoor time and 1:1 sessions
Story session
Tea
Yoga and Sound/gong experience
Supper and chill
Wednesday
Optional morning walk/ outdoor movement
Breakfast
Morning stretch/ Yoga
Group session/ circle
Free/ outdoor time and 1:1 sessions
Lunch
Story session
Mindfulness activity
Optional Hike/ nature walk
Supper and chill
Thursday
Optional morning walk/ yoga
Breakfast
Vacate rooms by 9.30am
Final group session/ activity and Picnic Lunch at 1pm
**Please don’t arrange to leave before 1pm – the last session really matters.
Kit list
Recommended
- Comfortable clothes suitable for relaxing in. Whatever you would wear at home is fine… feeling comfortable and relaxed is paramount. I will not be wearing anything fancy at any point, but as the weather can be changeable, we’d advise a mix of summer and autumn clothing suitable for being outdoors and walking in the countryside in September, and something you’re happy to do yoga in (but doesn’t need to be “proper Yoga kit”. It might be chilly so some warmer layers are advisable. There won’t be any expectation to change between activities or for meals unless you want to.
- A waterproof coat (and – if you have them/ the forecast looks wet – waterproof trousers).
- Trainers +/- a second pair of outdoor footwear for walking. Walking boots or wellies are a good idea if you have any which are comfortable because feet do get wet in the long grass on the paths around the farm, but there is a log-burner in the accommodation so shoes can be dried easily at the end of the day if you are happier just to wear trainers and change.
- Indoor footwear ie. slippers, uggs, flip flops etc -to relax in
- Reusable water bottle (there is filtered spring water provided)
- Small bag for hiking/walking
Optional
- Watch +/- alarm clock – especially if you want to switch off your phone
- Swimwear ONLY if you are brave enough for a wild-swim in the lake with the carp… it’s nice if (like me) you like that sort of thing, but most people don’t choose to!
- Yoga mat (if you don’t have one we can provide it, just let us know so we bring enough)
Note: Towels will be provided but there are no hairdryers.
Meet your retreat host
Jo Hacking
Retreat organiser. Founder & Director of About Wellbeing Ltd
Dr Jo Hacking is a certified Transformational Coach and runs her own coaching and wellbeing training business “About Wellbeing Ltd”. She also works as a Mental Health and Wellbeing advocate, retreat organiser, and an Education and Wellbeing Support worker for the WIltshire Wildlife Trust.
Jo has a medical background of over 25 years as a doctor, with 10 years as an NHS Consultant in Paediatric Emergency Medicine. She experienced a burnout and mental illness journey some years ago and learnt the power of accepting help, honest self-awareness and compassionate self-care. Her lived experiences – with the benefits of going through psychotherapy (provided through Practitionner Health) and coaching – inform her current work, but it is the importance of Nature – and the human experience of being a part of nature – which provides the dominant theme underpinning Jo’s value set.
She is an advocate of creating cultural change and increasing opportunities to support the benefits of nature connection for wellbeing. This has now become a full time occupation, such that she finally stepped away from clinical medicine in 2023.
She lives in Wiltshire with her husband, three children and various other animals.
What’s included
Woodlines 4 day Doctors’ Retreat 10-13 May 2027
Original price was: £1,200.00.£995.00Current price is: £995.00.
4-Day Doctor’s Retreat
Enjoy your own room, fabulous catering, support from experienced faculty and the company of a small group of fellow doctors.
Jo and the team will provide you with tailored activities and a nurturing environment to put your professional and wellbeing needs into perspective and create your own personalised action plan.
Payment plan available. To reserve your place today with a £200 deposit use code RES27 at checkout.
Spaces available
Description
WHAT’S INCLUDED
Prices are all-inclusive and include accommodation at Sheepdrove Farm, meals and all experiences
- 3 nights accommodation
- Your own double, en suite room
- Delicious professional catering
- Facilitated workshops
- All wellbeing activities
- Time for rural solitude
- Small group (max 8 guests)
- CPD certificate
DATES & TIMES
From: 14.00 Monday 10 May 2027
To: 14.00 Thursday 13 May 2027
YOUR INVESTMENT
£995 (early bird price available until Jan 2027)
To find out more please get in touch.
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Here’s what some of our attendees have to say about our 4-day Doctors’ Wellbeing Retreat
“A sanctuary of self care, allowing much needed me time, to truly consider what is important, whilst enjoying beautiful food, surroundings and activities. The perfect balance of “me” time and “us” time with a group of understanding peers.”
“An unexpected thing for me was definitely around creativity, which wasn’t something I was aware was missing from my life but felt like a really valuable thing to rediscover. I also really enjoyed learning more about birds and wildflowers..“
“This retreat carves out and protects a space for you to meaningfully review where you’re at and provides many suggestions on how you can move forward to where you want to be… thank you.”
