When: 11 Nov 2026 - 15 Nov 2026
Where: The Nightingale Centre, Buxton
Tutors: Colette Power, Zoe Shobbrook-Fisher
A residential retreat provides a wonderful opportunity to explore and deepen into Mindfulness and Self-Compassion (MSC) practice in a sustained way, supported by the community of fellow participants and the silent atmosphere of retreat. The emphasis will be on developing the resource of self-kindness and self-care through an exploration of mindfulness, loving-kindness, compassion, joy and equanimity.
Watch a short video explainer from the Retreat Leaders, Zoe and Colette:
What to expect:
On this silent retreat there will be guided practices as well as ample opportunity for you to deepen into your own experience within the supportive container of the group. The first evening will be an orientation session followed by a daily rhythm of early morning practice before breakfast followed by morning, afternoon and evening sessions with a spacious lunch period. The retreat will include gentle movement, outdoor time and time to connect in smaller groups. There will also be free time to rest and relax.
This retreat will draw on mindfulness and more particularly on the Mindful Self-Compassion (MSC) approach.
MSC offers core principles and practices that resource us to respond to difficult moments in our lives with kindness, care and understanding.
The three key components of self-compassion are self-kindness, a sense of common humanity, and balanced, mindful awareness. Kindness opens our hearts to suffering, so we can give ourselves what we need. Common humanity opens us to our essential inter-relatedness, so that we know we aren't alone. Mindfulness opens us to the present moment, so we can accept our experience with greater ease. Together they comprise a state of warm, connected, presence.
Self-compassion can be learned by anyone, whatever our personal histories. It's a courageous attitude that stands up to harm, including the harm that we unwittingly inflict on ourselves through self-criticism, self-isolation, or self-absorption. Self-compassion provides emotional strength and resilience, allowing us to admit our shortcomings, motivate ourselves with kindness, forgive ourselves when needed, relate wholeheartedly to others and be more authentically ourselves.
Rapidly expanding research demonstrates that self-compassion is strongly associated with emotional well-being, less anxiety, depression and stress, maintenance of healthy habits such as diet and exercise, and satisfying personal relationships.
Who the retreat is for:
This retreat is equally open to those wanting to deepen practice and those who teach or wish to teach.
The retreat meets the requirement to have sat a five-day, silent, teacher-led retreat before taking the MSC Teacher Training course AND meets BAMBA requirements for an annual retreat.
It would be helpful if you have a regular practice of mindfulness and/or loving-kindness/self-compassion meditation. Previous retreat experience of at least one day is helpful but, if not, please apply and we’ll discuss your application with you.
Requirements to attend:
You are required to have some experience of mindfulness-based practice. This might be having completed either a mindfulness-based course such as MBSR/MBCT or other 8-week mindfulness training; and/or completed a Mindful Self-Compassion (MSC) course either over eight weeks or in an intensive format; and/or meditation practice within a different context. We are committed to accessibility for our events and as such if you would like to attend but are unsure as to whether your experience meets these requirements to attend, please do email us (see address below) to discuss further.
Please ensure you are able to attend the entire event. If this is not possible, please contact us to discuss before submitting an application.
About the Retreat Leaders:
This retreat will be led by Zoe Shobbrook-Fisher and Colette Power - both extremely experienced MSC teachers, supervisors and trainers. Zoe and Colette bring a wealth of knowledge and dedication to their mindfulness teaching. To learn more about them, click on their names at the top of this page.
Timings:
The retreat will start at 5pm on Wednesday 11th November (arrival from 4pm) and ends at 12.30pm on Sunday 15th November 2026, followed by lunch.
All timings are for UK timezone.
What to bring/wear:
Please bring warm comfortable clothing and any equipment you would like to support you in your formal practice (such as cushion, stool, yoga mat, blanket) as these are not supplied by the venue.
Location:
Although seeming “away from it all”, Greater Manchester, South Yorkshire and the Midlands are all nearby. Along the ridge above Hucklow you can see five counties on a clear day! There are few places more central to the country as a whole.
https://www.thenightingalecentre.org.uk/location
Our rates:
Our full rates have no hidden extras and include deposit, teaching, room and board.
Full rate for SINGLE accommodation: £1,095 (includes £100.00 non-refundable deposit).
Bursary-assisted places are available on this event until 6 weeks before the event starts, we encourage early applications. If you would like to apply for a bursary-assisted place less than 6 weeks before the start date of the event please get in touch to discuss if an application is possible. When applying for a bursary-assisted place, please first register on the event and select the fee ‘I’m applying for a bursary-assisted place’. Once you have registered for the event you will also need to complete and return a bursary application form.
To find out more about our bursary schemes, criteria for bursary applications and to complete the bursary application form please visit: https://home.mindfulness-network.org/bursaries/
Employer's rate - Recognising the large administrative overhead of dealing with employers, we will be adding a £50 surcharge if the employer is paying directly; where possible we would advise applicants to pay themselves and reclaim on expenses to avoid the charge.
Please note: Many of our venues have shared bathrooms, including for single rooms. Please contact us if you have any specific needs that we need to be aware of.
The Application Process:
Our application and payment process involves the following steps:
- We receive your application form and assess it to ensure that this retreat is suitable for you. We endeavour to make assessments within a week, but if the retreat leader is on annual leave or on retreat, then this can take a little bit longer.
- Upon offering you a place, we will then invoice you for the deposit or for the full amount, depending which option you choose when you complete your application.
- Your place is confirmed once we receive your deposit or full payment.
- If you selected to pay the deposit only, we will invoice you for the balance four months before the retreat starts.
- We will email you the joining details in advance of the course.
Payment and Cancellation Policy:
Please read our Terms and Conditions for information regarding payments and cancellations.
For more information:
Please email us at retreats@mindfulness-network.org
Click here to sign up to this event.
