Retreats

Kate Greenstock (2023) in her book Flourish expresses concern that NHS midwives are displaying signs of moral injury, cognitive and emotional dissonance and Post Traumatic Stress (PTSD). Retreats for frontline midwives are therefore planned. The aim is for you to have a safe space to relax, offload and refresh yourself. Therapists will be on hand for treatments such as massage and meditation using sound healing will be on offer.

The first retreat is due to be held in the New Forest, Hampshire, UK. The venue is a wonderful calm space with yoga rooms, workshop areas leading onto the gardens and also treatment rooms for massage etc in the loft. There is a good restaurant on site and accommodation if needed, depending on availability. Contact Gina for more information and forthcoming dates.

Funding is being sought to lead day retreats initially. Below is some information I sent to the director of the retreat venue, to provide you with a flavour of what to expect:

My vision is to host restorative, one day healing retreats for frontline NHS midwives suffering from burnout, stress and work-related exhaustion. The midwives will be practising in the NHS and retreat days will initially only comprise of 6-10 in each group. Each monthly retreat will include workshops using images and collage mapping with some resilience building exercises and gentle yoga in the morning. The afternoon plan would be a sound bath, a treatment of choice such as massage/reflexology and finishing with a skills circle. I have been a senior midwifery lecturer in several universities and was a specialist midwife in London from 2016-2018. I have led communication workshops in NHS Trusts and have experience of running collage mapping events (with very positive feedback). I aim to have a psychologist in my retreat team to support any midwives so there is a safety net if needed. I am currently seeking funding.

All details about upcoming retreats will be posted on the Masterful Midwife website.