Men and the Long Road Home
A Residential Rights of Passage Workshop for Men
with
William Ayot & Simon Roe
Sunday 25th – Thursday 29th February 2024
EARLY BOOKING ENDS 1 WEEK FROM TODAY, 6th NOVEMBER 2023
Pay in full now for the workshop at £600 before 6th November, click here
To see feedback from William and Simon’s 2023 Residential for Men click here
ABOUT THE WORKSHOP
There’s often a hunger in a man – a yen for authenticity, a longing for friendship, and a yearning for a homecoming he can’t quite put a name to. Cut off and estranged by culture and habit, many of us live out our lives in isolation, fear, and resentment – yet there is another way. This powerful retreat offers men an opportunity to take off their armour and explore – safely, together – with other men of like mind and yearning.
In ancient times such events were called Rites of Passage or Mysteries. They called for courage, trust in others, and a willingness (or a need) to change. Taking story and poetry as our starting points, our work together will include ritual, breath and body work, creativity sessions, time in nature, and emergent group sessions that may re-define or re-direct us… Our story points towards issues of grief and loss, protective pomposity, repentance, and the eternal male struggles between, façade and truth, ego and soul.
As with any journey into the world of myth, or the unknown, we will meet guides and helpers as well as challenges – and at the heart of the story we may find ourselves. Only then, like the hero of our own story, can we step forward into a fuller life, turning our troubles into learnings and our wounds into gold.
Join Simon and William as they once more open a safe, emergent space for men in the Arthurian landscape of myth and mystery.
“William is a TREASURE of pure soul and heart”
Leslie Brissett, Group Relations Programme Director,
Tavistock Institute of Human Relations, London (UK)
WHEN : Sunday 25th – Thursday 29th February 2024
Alternative dates: Sunday 17th November – Thursday 21st November 2024 at EarthSpirit
COSTS: For transparency we are separating the cost of the workshop from the cost of the accommodation.
Cost of workshop £600 with early booking discount if paid in full by 6th November 2023, or £675 if paid after 6th November 2023.
PLUS the cost of your food & accommodation – from £499 – £630 (scroll down to see details and costs of accommodation and food below)
BURSARY: NB There are 3 bursaries of £300 each, available to subsidise these places for men who otherwise cannot afford to attend. Apply to juliet@ therapyandcounselling.co.uk
WE WANT MEN TO BE ABLE TO ATTEND THIS WORKSHOP, AND WE WILL WORK WITH YOU TO TRY AND FIND A WAY THAT YOU CAN COME, EVEN IF MONEY IS TIGHT. This may be using a bursary, and a payment plan. Please contact us to discuss the options if you feel you cannot afford the full price. [email protected]
PAY A DEPOSIT TO BOOK A PLACE
TO BOOK YOUR PLACE ON THIS WORKSHOP
Either
Pay a deposit of £350 click here and then make a payment plan (from £50 or £100 per month)
OR
Pay in full now for the workshop (at £600 if book before 1st November, £675 if booking after 6th August) click here
If you’d like to pay for your accommodation now then scroll down to find the links near the bottom of this page. Room availability is on a first come first served basis.
BURSARIES
BURSARIES There are 3 places offering a £300 discount. If you need one of these please contact [email protected] and copy in [email protected].
OFFERING A BURSARY TO SUPPORT ANOTHER MAN If you are able to offer a bursary of £200 that would be wonderful. Please contact [email protected] and copy in [email protected]
Pay a £200 bursary for another man to attend Exploring Male Mysteries Men and the Long Road Home
Do it. Be fearful, worried, anxious, however you’re feeling. Show up and immerse yourself – R.T.
A chance for something special – T.C. Psychotherapist.
Just do it. Don’t think about it. I’m ready for the next one right now. – A.C. Psychotherapist & Breath worker.
Life changing for me! Anonymous
We anticipate this workshop filling quickly – places are limited.
APPROVED FOR CPD
This course has been approved by NCIP- National Council Of Integrative Psychotherapists.
Feedback from previous attendees
William and Simon created a space that allowed us all to bring whatever we were thinking or feeling to the day…an all-round great experience – K.E.
You’re in safe hands, go for it!! – B.P.
A wonderful chance to get in touch with elements in yourself that might be holding you back – J.M. Counsellor, Spain.
QUESTIONS ABOUT THE WORKSHOP?
Contact [email protected] if you have any questions.
FACILITATORS
William Ayot
William is an award-winning poet, international facilitator and ritualist. He has been leading men’s retreats, rites of passage and initiatory events since 1992. He teaches and coaches around the world and holds rituals at his purpose-built site in Wales. Writing includes, “Email from the Soul” (poetry) & “Re-enchanting the Forest: Meaningful Ritual in a Secular World” (prose.)
William Ayot began leading men’s and mixed workshops in rehab and prisons during the early nineties. He later joined Wild Dance Events, organising and hosting large-scale men’s events for teachers like Robert Bly, Michael Meade, James Hillman, Malidoma Somé, Martín Prechtel and others, while leading initiatory rites of passage retreats at Cae Mabon. As a co-founding director of Olivier Mythodrama, he worked around the world, teaching leadership through story, theatre practice and ritual. He currently teaches on the Advanced Management Programme at INSEAD.
William leads workshops and seminars on personal development topics and creates and conducts private rituals and ceremonies. He lives in Monmouthshire with his wife, the psychotherapist and teacher, Juliet Grayson.
Simon Roe
Simon originally trained as a body psychotherapist with Nick Totton and Em Edmondson and has nearly 30 years’ experience of working with individuals and groups For the past twenty five years he has focused on working with men and teenage boys in a variety of settings including group work, 1-1 psychotherapy and Rites of Passage events. He has worked extensively with perpetrators of domestic violence, both adult and teenage and is a Respect (www.respect.uk.net) approved trainer and supervisor. From 2009-2017 he co-developed and delivered the ‘Do it Different’ programme, working with teenage boys using violent and abusive behaviour at home, which is recognised as an example of best practice.
Simon has been greatly influenced by teachers such as Robert Bly, Malidoma Some and Martin Prechtel. Most recently he has completed a foundation course in Process Oriented Psychology, an approach which increasingly informs his practice.
Simon is a fully accredited member of The Association of Facilitators. Please visit www.simonroe.net for more information about his work.
VENUE
This workshop will take place at the EarthSpirit Centre in Somerset, which is situated in a beautiful landscape. The seventeenth century farm buildings have been restored and specially converted for use as a venue. They are set within seven acres of fields and gardens, next to two nature reserves; and just two minutes walk from St Andrew’s church, which has within its cemetery a yew tree over 1,700 years old. The venue is suitable for people with disabilities, but please let us know if you have special needs.
PRACTICAL DETAILS & ACCOMMODATION
ADDRESS Earthspirit Centre, Compton Dundon, Somerset, TA11 6PE.
TIMINGS Participants arrive between 6.00 and 6.30pm. Supper is at 7.00 on Sunday evening. There will be an evening session on most, or all of the days. The workshop is designed to be fully residential. On the final day we will aim to finish by 3.00-3.15 pm and we need to vacate the premises by 3.30 pm.
COVID TEST You will be asked to self administer a lateral flow test the day before coming, and to only attend if the test is negative. We hope to have a waiting list for this workshop. so that if someone has symptoms just before the event and cannot attend, or their region goes into lockdown, their place can be taken by someone else, and they will get a full refund. BUT if there is not a waiting list, then William and Simon will not be able to offer any refunds. In the event that William and Simon are unwell, or that their regions are in lockdown and they are unable to travel, participants will be offered a full refund, or a credit to use on another workshop.
TAKE TIME OFF AFTER THIS This workshop is a deep and powerful experience. We strongly recommends that you give yourself at least 2 very quiet days, where you are not working or socialising, after the workshop. This will help you with integration and ‘landing’ back into your normal life.
COST OF ACCOMMODATION
This covers your accommodation with full board per person including accommodation, food (vegetarian, and all hot drinks).
- £499 for dormitory accommodation,
- £520 if you are sharing a bedroom with up to 2 others, and sharing a bathroom with several other bedrooms.
- £558 if you are sharing an ensuite bedroom (which has it’s own bathroom) with just one other person. Or
- £595 for a single person in a bedroom on your own with a shared bathroom. Or
- £630 if you would prefer sleeping alone, in your own en-suite bedroom with it’s own bathroom.
- If you can bring your own campervan, then there is a charge of £480 to cover use of the toilet, shower and all your food.
- For those wishing to stay off site, but want to eat with the group, there is a charge of £440.
FOOD The food is vegetarian, and is included in the costs. All meals are provided from dinner on Sunday night to lunch on Thursday.
DRINKS There are unlimited hot drinks provided.
SPECIAL DIETS There are two types of special diets.
Standard Generic Special Diet (SGSD): To have a special diet which is a standard gluten free, standard wheat free, or standard dairy free the cost is £12 (if you prefer a combination of these, just let us know – eg gluten free and dairy free is £12.)
Specially Prepared Special Diet (SPSD): To have a specially prepared special diet, eg avoiding certain foods add an extra £33 (which covers all of your meals). If you require this then please send the specific requirements to [email protected]
ACCOMODATION OPTIONS click here to see photos
CHECK THERE ARE PLACES please email Sam – [email protected] or Juliet to check availability on [email protected] or alternatively phone 01291 638805
HELPERS PLACE William & Simon are offering one person a ‘helpers place’. They will receive a £50 discount. In return the helper will arrive at 4.30pm on the starting day and help to set up the workshop and stay behind for up to 2 hours on the final day to help clear up and pack the car. The helper will take full part in the workshop – but will be the person to do small tasks such as show people to their bedrooms on arrival, liaise with the kitchen, get the logs for the fire, tidy up the main room at the end of each day, and generally help William and Simon and be a back up person as required. If you would like to do this, please check with Sam if the place has been taken [email protected].
CANCELLATION Cancellations or alterations with more that 90 days notice are subject to a 12.5% handling charge. Cancellations or alterations within 90 days of the workshop are non refundable and non transferrable.
EXTRA REQUIREMENTS? If you have any extra requirements please contact [email protected] rather than the contacting the EarthSpirit Centre directly. It is easiest if all arrangements are made through our office rather than contacting the venue. If you have any special needs (any kind of disability) please let us know.
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