ROOKHOW 

LAKE DISTRICT group accommodation & woodland

A FOUNDATION TRAINING IN NON VIOLENT COMMUNICATION

16TH-18TH October 2026- SOLD OUT!

PLEASE EMAIL US TO BE PUT ON THE RESERVE LIST and let us know if you could join in the case of a last minute cancellation.


With Shona Cameron

Nonviolent Communication (NVC) is a practical, learnable process for communicating with empathy, honesty, power and compassion. The purpose of NVC is to ensure everyone’s needs are valued equally and fulfilled in ways that contribute to connection, harmony and peace. Nonviolent Communication develops people’s ability to listen to and transform blame, anger and criticism into respectful, constructive communication, and to resolve conflicts peacefully. 


NVC is a means for giving feedback empathically, so as to sustain self esteem, and enable people to learn and grow. NVC has a profound effect on our relationships and on the contexts of our lives.

This training which presents the concepts and tools used in NVC; introduces you to the steps of the NVC process for use in expressing yourself to others, listening to others and listening compassionately to yourself, will give you sufficient information and practice to start using NVC in your daily life.


Suggested donation £150 or pay what you feel

HEART OF THE QUAKER WAY

Online course 4 thursdays in November 7-8.30pm

With Ben Pink Dandelion in partnership with Woodbrooke Learning

Thursdays 5th, 12th, 19th and 26th November 7-8.30pm on Zoom

Suggested donation £30 for the course or pay what you feel


This online course looks at the key elements of Quaker spirituality and outlines what makes up the Quaker Way. With plenty of time for discussion and conversation, we will look at four core aspects of Quakerism: 

  • the idea that everyone can have a direct encounter with the Divine 
  • a distinctive form of worship to nurture that sense of encounter
  • a way of discerning what is truly part of that encounter
  • and the particular life that emerges from this experience 

 Participants will gain a clearer understanding of Quakerism as well as a strong sense of community amongst those involved with Rookhow.

We encourage people to join for all 4 sessions if they can.

Quakers and non Quakers welcome. 

'SINK DOWN TO THE SEED'- SENSORY QUIET DAY 

monday 7th december 9.30am-4pm

with artist in residence Caroline Stow and aromatherapist Alison Smedley

Come for a day of deep disengagement from the rush of modern life to support finding some balance for our inner and outer lives; experience quiet in an embodied way and allow some breathing room. Using our sense of smell as a key to deepen our spiritual and cognitive connection to the natural world, discover how the scents of woodland, earth, trees, rain, woodsmoke and specific places can influence memory, mood and well-being, in the tranquil and restorative environment of the Meeting House and woodland. 

Coffee at 9.30am. Suggested donation £30 of pay what you feel. We don’t want anyone to be excluded because of the cost.

ACTIVE HOPE with Gareth Thomas 12th-14th March 2027

'The Work That Reconnects' - Joanna Macy's inspiring and powerful programme that helps us support ourselves and those around us in challenging times.


Gareth is a trained facilitator in 'The Work That Reconnects'. The concept was developed by Joanna Macy alongside many other people over her lifetime.

The process takes you on a spiral transitioning through four key stages:

  • Coming from Gratitude
  • Honoring Our Pain for the World
  • Seeing with New/Ancient Eyes
  • Going Forth
Here is a link to more information about the work of Joanna Macy.


Suggested donation £150 or pay what you feel. We don't want people to be excluded because of the cost. It's possible to pay in installments. If you attend a Quaker Meeting, they may be able to sponsor you. 

Quakers an non Quakers welcome.

Easter Gathering 26th-29th March 2027

Annual all age Easter Gathering at Rookhow, where Quakers from the 'scattered communities of the Society of Friends' have gathered for over 300 years.

3 night weekend residential, starting with the Good Friday Meeting for Worship (11am), reflections, discussions, campfires and games in the woods, walks together, Epilogues, sharing food- a chance to meet with old friends and make new ones. Finishes Monday morning 11am. 

Children and young people are welcome. Single people, couples, families- young and old! Under 18s are the responsibility of their parents/ guardians at all times.

SUGGESTED DONATION: £120 adults/ £60 aged 21 and under or pay what you feel (however long you stay or wherever you sleep). We don't want people to be excluded because of the cost. It's possible to pay in installments. If you attend a Quaker Meeting, they may be able to sponsor you.

Quakers and non Quakers welcome.


DEPOLARISATION: HOLDING A RADICAL CENTRE 14th-16th May 2027

Facilitated by Rebecca Brierley, St Ethelburga's Community reconciliation programme manager and coordinator of the Journey of Hope programme.

As social and political divisions intensify across communities, many of us are asking how to stay grounded, connected, and effective when our communities or workplaces are divided. This weekend invites you to explore the practice of what we call the Radical Centre; not a political middle ground, but a place of moral courage and curiosity. It is “radical” because choosing to listen, to build trust, and to stay in dialogue is countercultural in a climate of outrage and certainty. Drawing from our long-standing peacebuilding practices, this training offers a structured yet reflective pathway for those who wish to build social cohesion, nurture trust, and model a new kind of leadership for divided times.

Suggested donation £150 or pay what you feel. We don't want people to be excluded because of the cost. It's possible to pay in installments. If you attend a Quaker Meeting, they may be able to sponsor you.

Quakers and non Quakers welcome.