MAY 2024 - SOLD OUT!
WIDOWS GRIEF RETREATA WEEKEND OF HOPE AND HEALING
Are you a widow, desperately craving the time and space to heal?
FOR WIDOWS AND SURVIVING PARTNERS IN BEDFORDSHIRE, ENGLAND
Come along to my weekend retreat designed specifically for you! Where you’ll have the chance to switch off from the turmoil of everyday life and focus exclusively on yourself and your needs.
Located in the beautiful woodlands of the Bedfordshire countryside, Tofte Manor is the perfect location to escape for the weekend and surround yourself with people who understand what you are going through.
Join me in the garden as we find the peace you need and the inspiration to keep moving forward and creating that life that brings you joy once again.
You’ll learn to release judgement, expectation, tension and fear and invite in the clarity, inner peace and stillness you so richly deserve.
This is your chance to pause, to breathe and to simply be.
When we lose a partner, our entire world turns upside down.
We move from living a life filled with purpose to one in which we simply exist day to day, consumed by the heaviness of our grief. We go through the motions, often doing what is expected of us by others and striving to meet the needs of those around us. However, rarely do we stop to identify and support our own needs.
And as such, we lose ourselves.
The busyness of everyday life can make it difficult to prioritise our wellbeing. However, carving out the time we need to adjust to our loss and reconnect to ourselves is so important if we are to heal and lead a more peaceful and fulfilling life.
What people are saying about grief retreats for widows…
FREE GUIDEFIVE WAYS TO HELP EASE YOUR GRIEVING JOURNEY
Discover how you can create a gentler grieving journey. One in which you can remember your person with more love than pain.
A sneak peek at what you can expect…
The Venue
Hidden away in the heart of the Bedfordshire countryside, Tofte Manor is a breathtakingly beautiful house nestled in fifty acres of stunning gardens, complete with a swimming pool, tennis court, fire pit and enchanting labyrinths.
With its unique combination of comfort and privacy, Tofte Manor is the perfect venue for those seeking to escape the pressures of everyday life and rediscover who they are in a harmonious and holistic environment.
With exclusive use of the house and grounds for the entire weekend, Tofte Manor will provide you with a safe and tranquil setting, within which you can unplug, relax and begin to heal.
If you’re craving seclusion and downtime, there are plenty of hidden spaces within the grounds that you can disappear off to and unwind. The Sanctuary, tucked away within the gardens, is a tranquil space enveloped by nature that’s perfect for wellbeing activities. And, if you’re looking for somewhere quiet to enjoy your meals, the Terrace, overlooking the sunken garden is an idyllic spot.
The Rooms
The manor house itself has nine individual luxurious bedrooms, with large bathrooms shared between two or three. All rooms come with their own sink, tea and coffee equipment, WiFi and T.V. Each guest will be given a dressing-gown, towel and bathroom slippers to use.
Accommodation is also available in the old Stables Courtyard, which has been sensitively restored and converted into beautiful contemporary cottages. The cottages house a mixture of seven ensuite doubles and twins.
The Food
Throughout your stay, a private chef will be on hand to cook you mouth-watering, nutritious meals, from dinner on Friday to lunch on Sunday.
Tea, coffee, soft drinks and other refreshments will also be available throughout your stay. And as an added treat, you’ll be able to sample the incredible filtered spring water, from Tofte Manor’s very own spring.
Dietary needs (including vegan and vegetarian requirements) will be catered for, so please do just let us know.
The Sessions
All sessions have been designed to provide you with the time and space you need to rest, contemplate and heal.
Whilst we would encourage participation in the sessions, if you would prefer some time to yourself, you’ll find plenty of peaceful hideaways within the grounds to escape to.
Guided Labyrinth Walks
Dating back 4000 years, labyrinths have often been used as a tool for personal growth and psychological and spiritual transformation. Research has shown that walking a labyrinth can restore balance and improve clarity of thought.
During our grief journey, there may be times when we feel stuck. As we struggle to exist in a life that feels bleak and heavy, our motivation to reshape our world and build momentum for the future often just disappears.
The guided labyrinth walks offered during the retreat are a form of active meditation. As you slowly weave your way around the labyrinth, immersing yourself in the stillness and serenity, the natural flow and rhythm of your movement, will encourage you to unravel your thoughts and feelings and release whatever it is that’s keeping you from moving forward.
You’ll emerge feeling calm, balanced and focused.
Fire Ceremony
A fire ceremony is a powerful practice that can help you to break free from unwanted emotions and attachments and make room for fresh, new intentions.
During the retreat, a contemplative fire ceremony will be held. This will give us the chance to come together, release any lingering fears that we’re holding on to, reflect on and share our thoughts about the weekend with others and set exciting, new intentions.
Wellbeing Exercises
When we lose a loved one, our self care often takes a back seat.
We are so preoccupied with holding down a job, being a parent, running a household and often supporting others, that we fail to meet our own physical and emotional needs.
Throughout this retreat, your wellbeing will be our priority.
We will run a number of different wellbeing sessions including meditation, breathwork and yoga, which will focus on releasing tension from your body, shifting your mindset and reclaiming yourself.
By nurturing your body and mind, you’ll start to re-balance your energy and unlock the path towards deeper healing.
FREE GUIDEFIVE WAYS TO HELP EASE YOUR GRIEVING JOURNEY
Discover how you can create a gentler grieving journey. One in which you can remember your person with more love than pain.
Ready to Book?
If you’re ready to prioritise your needs - to rest, recover and reclaim your life, click on the button below.
It’s time to put yourself first. We’re ready to look after you. All you need to do is get here.
Karen SuttonMEET YOUR RETREAT LEADER
Hi, I’m Karen Sutton, the U.K’s first widow coach. I provide widows with emotional and practical support, wherever they are in their grief journey.
By channelling my own experiences of loss, I help widows navigate their trauma and manage their grief in a more positive way. It’s my mission to help those struggling with loss look after themselves, take back control and build a more fulfilling life.
I am a certified grief educator and draw on the unique methodology, tools and experience of world-renowned grief expert, David Kessler, to help widows fall in love with life again.
When I lost my husband, my life was thrown into chaos. I found myself catapulting from situation to situation, responding and reacting as best I could to the new challenges life hurled at me. Over time, I realised the toll that this was taking on my body and on my mind.
I knew I needed to just stop, breathe and give myself time to reflect on how I was feeling, so that I could really identify what it was I needed. And so I did. I learnt to listen to my body and nourish myself emotionally. I discovered what soothed my mind and made me feel better. I developed the ability to unplug and disconnect from life’s pressures. I learnt to prioritise myself.
And so I speak from experience when I say that turning down the noise and learning to be still will truly help you to understand what’s going on in your heart and ultimately unlock a deeper sense of peace.
Throughout the weekend retreat, I will hold a safe space for you to explore your grief.
I’ll encourage you to reflect on how best you can support and nurture yourself on your journey and take positive steps towards a brighter future.
I’ll be on hand to facilitate any transitions you're experiencing and celebrate any breakthroughs you may encounter.
And, if you’re feeling stuck I’ll encourage you to challenge your narrative and reframe your outlook, so that you can view your reality from a different perspective and feel that little bit lighter.
FREE GUIDEFIVE WAYS TO HELP EASE YOUR GRIEVING JOURNEY
Discover how you can create a gentler grieving journey. One in which you can remember your person with more love than pain.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Yes, my retreat is open to all widows. If your friend is also a widow and would like to attend with you, please just send me an email to let me know.
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The sessions at the retreat have been carefully designed to support your wellbeing and enable you to ease your pain and achieve greater peace and balance. However, if you don’t feel comfortable participating in one or more sessions, that’s no problem. They are entirely optional. The most important thing is that you feel comfortable and relaxed during your stay.
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Unfortunately no, due to the way the weekend and sessions are structured, if you wish to attend the retreat, you will need to attend for the whole weekend.
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With the cost of the retreat you can expect:
· Two nights accommodation in a sumptuous, fully-equipped bedroom
· Six nutritious meals (from dinner on Friday to lunch on Sunday) prepared by a private chef
· Tea, coffee, soft drinks and other refreshments, available all day
· A variety of holistic, therapeutic sessions that will help you reset, recharge and rejuvenate
· A welcome gift packPlease note that travel insurance is NOT included.
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Whilst all your needs will be catered for once you arrive, unfortunately we are unable to provide transport to and from the venue.
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My retreat is open to all widows regardless of where they are on their grief journey.
What people are saying about grief retreats for widows…
