Welcome to the Association for Promoting Retreats!
Are you looking for somewhere to go on retreat?
We can help!
On the interactive map above you will find all the APR member retreat houses, with contact details and a link to their website; we also have a member house in South Africa. We support the work of several retreat leaders across the UK, many of whom can offer you an online retreat.
Promoting Christian Spirituality Through Retreats
The Association for Promoting Retreats exists to encourage more people to go on retreat and to support the ministry of our member retreat houses and retreat leaders. We also organise a biannual conference for Church of England diocesan spirituality advisers, and administer a bursary fund to enable individuals to go on retreat when cost is an obstacle.
Retreat Calendar
Calendar of Events
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6 events,
4 Night Silent Ignatian Guided Retreat Leader: Dilys Threshie Come and deepen your relationship with God on this silent individually guided retreat (IGR). An IGR offers you the time and opportunity to pay attention to God and to be more aware of his work in your life. It also gives the space to pray and reflect […] October Half Term Week Mon 27 Oct — Fri 31 Oct 2025 Family Activity Week Step away from the noise and haste of your everyday life and into the quiet beauty of the Franciscan Centre Ladywell in the heart of Surrey.Each day you will be accompanied by a trained spiritual director.
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Come and help out in the 5-acre garden or around the house!
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Come and Rest - A Day Retreat 27th October Monday 10am - 3.30pm Take a moment to be a human being, not a human doing! A peaceful guided day with lunch. Reflect, read, colour,... |
8 events,
Tuesday 28th October @ 4:00 pm - Friday 31st October @ 4:00 pm Living with Loss Abi May and the team invite those who have experienced bereavement to gain the tools to help cope with the life-changing loss of a loved one. £495
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One Day Silent Retreats -These retreats will introduce ways of stilling yourself and give the opportunity to experience the richness and depth of spending time with God in the quietness of silent prayer. Cost £65 To Book email info@bieldatblackruthven.org.uk
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Transforming Pain A Quiet day of reflections and music, exploring +Guli new book “Listening to the Music of the Soul” Day of Reflection The Franciscan Centre Ashstead Lane, Godalming, United Kingdom Come away and rest awhile on a Day of Reflection at the Franciscan Centre Ladywell! Our next gatherings will be held on the 2nd Saturday and 4th Tuesday of each month from 9.30am to 4.00pm. |
9 events,
‘Thou Mastering-me God’ - Retreat In this three day retreat led by Bishop Philip, we will use the medium of poetry to enter into the mystery of God. Autumn Watch in Dorset Wed 29 Oct — Sun 2 Nov 2025 Enjoy learning about autumn in Dorset with a team of friendly experts
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One Day Silent Retreat - October 29th October 2025 Why silence? Most people have a yearning for tranquillity and peace. By taking part in a silent retreat, you will have the opportunity to draw back from the normal routines and busyness of life to reflect and allow space for new encounters.
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Heartfulness Meditation Every Wednesday 07:15pm to 08:00pm We’re delighted to host a weekly Heartfulness Meditation session in our beautiful Library. These sessions are always free of charge and you can also continue at home with support. Available now in 160 countries worldwide supported by volunteers. Heartfulness meditation is based on ancient Raj Yoga but simplified for […] |
8 events,
Karen Stefanyszyn and Chris Blakeley: Finding Stillness Retreat 30th October 2025 - 31st October 2025 This retreat is about helping you to more habitually find a place of calm within you that has you able to be less reactive and more aware of your choices in life. Run over 2 days for small groups of […] |
12 events,
Talking to Grief, Led by Rosie Miles A weekend to explore how we negotiate different kinds of loss in our lives, using poetry Gospel Singing Weekend with Mark De-Lisser 31st October Friday 31st evening, Saturday 1st day, Sunday 2nd morning It’s becoming a regular event! After the continued success of Mark’s last Gospel singing weekend at Saint Columba’s House in 2024,... |
9 events,
Meditation in the Christian tradition is an ancient and simple way of prayer. Our purpose is to teach meditation as a simple path to peace, community and oneness. Our vision is to help people establish peace in themselves and become places of peace in the world. Each session includes a short talk, a period of […]
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Writing for Well-being (minimum 6) Jane Walters 9:30 - 4pm £25 (min 6) Bring packed lunch |
8 events,
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7 events,
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Creativity, Contemplation, Connection Leader: Rachel Kiley Photographer and creativity specialist, Rachel, will gently guide participants through the day, which will include morning reflections and a contemplative smartphone photography walk. There will also be opportunities for creative writing, mark making, silence, self-reflection and sharing together, as we gently connect with our creative selves and new ways of […]
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An opportunity to pause for prayer and personal reflection – Come for all or part of the day. Bring your own lunch. Coffee and tea provided. No charge, but donations welcome. 10am – 4pm with Eucharist at 12 noon. |
2 events,
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Heartfulness Meditation Every Wednesday 07:15pm to 08:00pm We’re delighted to host a weekly Heartfulness Meditation session in our beautiful Library. These sessions are always free of charge and you can also continue at home with support. Available now in 160 countries worldwide supported by volunteers. Heartfulness meditation is based on ancient Raj Yoga but simplified for […] |
2 events,
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Dealing with Burnout We migt like to think Christians are immune to workplace stress....but.... Come for a day to explore this in a safe and holy space. Led by: Ven Amanda Bloor - Archdeacon of Cleveland Cost: £30.00 includiung lunch and refreshments |
5 events,
Well Being Weekend 3 Leader: Jason and Vicki Cottingham A wellbeing weekend offers a safe and supportive space for people who feel or have felt overwhelmed, providing tools for self-management in a facilitated peer mentoring style setting. This weekend will cover subjects of forgiveness, self-acceptance and healthy relationships. The sessions include group and individual activities designed […] Longing for God: Individually Guided Retreat Led by the House of Prayer Team A silent individually guided retreat for busy people, those who have not made a retreat before, or for anyone who needs time away to stop, breathe, and pray. A trained spiritual director will be available for daily individual meetings to […] ‘Mandalas are a visible sign of deeper truths’ A weekend using the ancient symbol of the Mandala and Franciscan Spirituality to take us on an inner journey from gratitude through lamentation, to seeing anew, to living more boldly. We shall be gathering natural materials from the land to create a big outdoor mandala. The suggested […] The Sacred Whole: Contemplating Nature in the Desert Tradition – weekend meditation retreat Ripon College, Oxfordshire (Fri 7th - Sun 9th Nov) Step into sacred stillness with the Desert Mystics and rediscover creation as divine revelation. Through silence, nature, and shared wisdom, encounter the world as a living expression of God. |
8 events,
Meditation in the Christian tradition is an ancient and simple way of prayer. Our purpose is to teach meditation as a simple path to peace, community and oneness. Our vision is to help people establish peace in themselves and become places of peace in the world. Each session includes a short talk, a period of […] Day of Reflection The Franciscan Centre Ashstead Lane, Godalming, United Kingdom Come away and rest awhile on a Day of Reflection at the Franciscan Centre Ladywell! Our next gatherings will be held on the 2nd Saturday and 4th Tuesday of each month from 9.30am to 4.00pm. |
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7 events,
Winter Watch Mon 10 Nov — Thu 13 Nov 2025 Bird and wildilfe watching on the Essex coast led by David Martin. Are you in full-time ministry? Do you need some time and space to rest and recharge? Join us at Whitchester for some or all of this time.
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We are delighted to invite you to our Urban Oasis for our Open Reflective Days in 2024. These are our most popular retreats allowing you to have a personal quiet day to reflect and recharge away from the distractions of everyday life. You may use this day as time to pray, do some life admin or maybe to finish that project […]
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9:45 am – 3:30 pm These are led by Rev Evelyn Bone and she leads us through a gentle day of devotion, quiet time and worship. There is the opportunity to meet one to one and engage in a few prayerful activities. The cost is £26 which includes lunch and refreshments. The day runs from 9.45am to […]
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Come and help out in the 5-acre garden or around the house! |
9 events,
Join us for an enjoyable stay looking at the relationship between Franciscanism and food, both from a theological aspect and a practical application. The Hilfield Community prides itself on using available foodstuffs in our day-to-day lives but our staple has to be bread and jam as any of our teatime guest will tell you! The […] Look at the Birds: A Birdwatching Retreat Come and enjoy a time of quiet Celtic Christian worship, biblical reflections and guided birdwatching walks. Led by Mark Winter.
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Private Retreat Day No progarmme, just spend a day with God at Wydale Cost: £21.00 including lunch and refreshments
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Profit from the Prophet; What has Jeremiah to say to the church today? Take inspiration from the prophet Jeremiah, as Jesus did. A study day. Led by: Bishop Graham Cray Cost: £30.00 including lunch and refreshments
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Reflective Day for the Season of Remembrance, Led by Helen Warwick |
6 events,
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Heartfulness Meditation Every Wednesday 07:15pm to 08:00pm We’re delighted to host a weekly Heartfulness Meditation session in our beautiful Library. These sessions are always free of charge and you can also continue at home with support. Available now in 160 countries worldwide supported by volunteers. Heartfulness meditation is based on ancient Raj Yoga but simplified for […] |
6 events,
Enneagram Subtypes Thu 13 Nov — Sun 16 Nov 2025 A deeper understanding for those who already know the Enneagram |
17 events,
This weekend, our Greek Orthodox brothers and sisters commence their Nativity Fast, a prolonged period of preparation for Christmas similar to the Western season of Advent, which begins this year on November 15th. To help us focus on the holiness of this time, writer and editor Sarah Law is hosting a two-day online retreat, exploring […] Living in Christ Leader: Amy Boucher Pye The apostle Paul experienced a complete turnabout on the Damascus Road. How can we emulate him in `putting on Christ` - that is, how do we leave our old selves behind as we take on the new? We`ll explore some of the rich wisdom of Paul`s letter to the […] Awakening the Heart Led by Briji Waterfield Meditation in the Christian tradition has been called ‘the prayer of the heart’ which leads to the core and essence of who we are. In the awakening we discover our intimacy with God, transforming our life. In the silence, stillness and simplicity of meditation we uncover our deepest […] Meditation & the Contemporary Wisdom of Meister Eckhart Retreat Launde Abbey East Norton, Leicestershire, United Kingdom Through a flow of talks and extended meditation practice, we will explore the teaching of Meister Eckhart. The retreat has been carefully crafted to be relevant and accessible to anyone searching for truth and peace, regardless of their faith, beliefs […] Our October retreat on Holy Island is timed for the peak of autumn migration. Our time will be spent on and around the island itself which in the autumn hosts large numbers of waders, duck and geese as well as arriving passerines from continental Europe that include hordes of wintering thrushes. The all-inclusive price is […] Photography with Deeper Vision course Moving from snapshots to images that nourish your spirit How do photography and spirituality inspire each other? Can photography be an aid to contemplation? Photography can offer unique perspectives on ourselves, our world and our faith. Some 5 billion photos are taken every day across the world, mostly using smartphones. […] Through the Door of Hope – Stepping into hope within challenging times. A time of reflection led by Christopher Chapman Hope has its roots in a God who is always moving into how things are. The door of hope is open and God steps through it with purpose and compassion. Through this same door we […]
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A Simple Quiet Day Time to reconnect with the God who loves you through stillness, reflective prayer, music and praying with scripture.
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Quiet day: SING TO THE LORD A NEW SONG with Olivia Graham and Keith Glenny The music of the Taizé Community has become a staple in worship. But many of us have little sense of how extensive it is. Come and spend a day exploring beautiful and lesser known chants, interspersed with periods of reflection […]
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Soul Filled Meanderings Take a couple of hours, put on your coat and boots and explore and experience God’s creation. This is an opportunity to stop, look and listen. Using all your senses to know and understand more about our Everlasting Father and Creator God. £5 |
17 events,
Beginners’ Retreat For those who would benefit from some guidance on how to use the space and time in retreat With Sister Lizzie Ruth CSMV This short retreat is for anyone who is new to being in retreat. It is also for anyone new to staying at St Mary’s Convent or anyone who would […] with David Cole of Waymark Ministries Celtic Advent Advent and the winter season as celebrated and focused on by the ancient Celtic Christians and Monastic centres Meditation in the Christian tradition is an ancient and simple way of prayer. Our purpose is to teach meditation as a simple path to peace, community and oneness. Our vision is to help people establish peace in themselves and become places of peace in the world. Each session includes a short talk, a period of […]
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Hand stitched Christmas Folk Art Pam McLaughlin 10:15 - 3:30pm £18 Bring packed lunch
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Saturday 15th November @ 10:00 am - 4:00 pm November Saturday Quiet Day: “Overwhelmed? – Come and Rest a while” Overwhelmed by life, by love, by a tidal wave of emotions? Please receive this personal invitation from me, Andrew Hall, as we seek to find rest for your soul. A day set aside to catch our breath […] |
10 events,
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8 events,
Living, Breathing, and Moving: Connecting with God with Our Whole Body During this four-day retreat, guests will experience a variety of body-based prayer practices and opportunities to grow in awareness and understanding of how our body’s design and wisdom foster a deep and fulfilling prayer life with God. Led by Hope Stockman and Rhona Knight.
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Come and help out in the 5-acre garden or around the house!
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A Quiet Day of Reflecting on 2025 17th November Monday 9.45am - 3.30pm A time to pause and reflect – reviewing the past year, looking back and then considering where we are now on... |
7 events,
Pre-Advent Retreat Take time out before the baubles and the lights start to could your view. A residential retreat. Led by: Leslie Newton, Chair of the Methodist Yorkshire North and East District Cost: £318.00 to include accommodation and food
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(ONLINE) EXPLORING ADVENT | A golden space to 'breathe in', from the rich Christian calendar... An invitation to be counter cultural and stop the rushing around and the business for a while... a retreat to enter into the liminal mystery of Advent, a poignant and beautiful time of waiting and preparation.. |
6 events,
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Heartfulness Meditation Every Wednesday 07:15pm to 08:00pm We’re delighted to host a weekly Heartfulness Meditation session in our beautiful Library. These sessions are always free of charge and you can also continue at home with support. Available now in 160 countries worldwide supported by volunteers. Heartfulness meditation is based on ancient Raj Yoga but simplified for […] |
6 events,
Meister Eckhart: a friend of God Thu 20 Nov — Sun 23 Nov 2025 Simon Parke leads a retreat inspired by the great 14th century mystic
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(IN SITU) THE WONDER OF STORIES | As the gong is sounded, an ancient Emperor of China appears, his eyes held by what he has just read about the exquisite song of the Nightingale... Sit back, relax and enjoy the performance... We will seek to enter another world and mine the treasures of this old story and […] |
6 events,
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Held in God's Gaze: Chad and faith between the Midlands and the Ribble Father Nicholas Heale will lead this quiet day based on St Chad and the faith in his day between the Midlands and the Ribble. |
6 events,
Meditation in the Christian tradition is an ancient and simple way of prayer. Our purpose is to teach meditation as a simple path to peace, community and oneness. Our vision is to help people establish peace in themselves and become places of peace in the world. Each session includes a short talk, a period of […]
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Prayer Shawl Retreat Vicki Cottingham 10am – 4pm £60 In main house
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Join us for our annual Advent Quiet Day. A chance to retreat from secular society as we prepare for the birth of the Christ Child, the Light of the World. The suggested donation for the day is £25 to include a simple lunch of soup and a roll. Please donate on the day. |
3 events,
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5 events,
24th-26th Nov: The Revd Dr Inderjit Bhogal A retreat led by the Revd Dr Inderjit Bhogal. Arrivals from 4pm on Monday until 2pm on Wednesday. Includes all meals, refreshments and accommodation Please note that Holland House does not provide a choice menu at meal times and it is therefore very important that you note any […] Film Week with Sandra Hodgson-Brown Mon 24 Nov — Fri 28 Nov 2025 Enjoy a variety of classic films whilst sitting around the log fire. |
7 events,
Longing for God: Individually Guided Retreat Led by the House of Prayer Team A silent individually guided retreat for busy people, those who have not made a retreat before, or for anyone who needs time away to stop, breathe, and pray. A trained spiritual director will be available for daily individual meetings to […] Multiday Silent Retreat - November Why silence? Most people have a yearning for tranquillity and peace. By taking part in a silent retreat, you will have the opportunity to draw back from the normal routines and busyness of life to reflect and allow space for new encounters. Day of Reflection The Franciscan Centre Ashstead Lane, Godalming, United Kingdom Come away and rest awhile on a Day of Reflection at the Franciscan Centre Ladywell! Our next gatherings will be held on the 2nd Saturday and 4th Tuesday of each month from 9.30am to 4.00pm. |
9 events,
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Soul Filled Meanderings Take a couple of hours, put on your coat and boots and explore and experience God’s creation. This is an opportunity to stop, look and listen. Using all your senses to know and understand more about our Everlasting Father and Creator God. £5
-
Heartfulness Meditation Every Wednesday 07:15pm to 08:00pm We’re delighted to host a weekly Heartfulness Meditation session in our beautiful Library. These sessions are always free of charge and you can also continue at home with support. Available now in 160 countries worldwide supported by volunteers. Heartfulness meditation is based on ancient Raj Yoga but simplified for […] |
10 events,
Escape from the run up to Christmas craziness! Join us to craft, chat and learn from one another in a friendly environment. Bring old projects to finish and try new ones with friends, drink lots of tea and laugh a lot! If you would like to arrive on Tuesday 26th November to relax before you start […]
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10 events,
Advent Retreat – Hospitality and Sanctuary Led by Revd Inderjit Bhogal Mary Monfries and Chris Blakeley: Crossroads Retreat 28th November 2025 - 29th November 2025 “Stand at the crossroads and look. Look for the ancient paths. Ask where the good way is and walk in it and you will find rest for your soul.” Run over 2 days for small groups of up to 8 people […] Elizabeth Foy: A Contemplative Waiting: The Art of Faith 28th November 2025 - 29th November 2025 A residential retreat following a visit to the National Gallery For centuries, art was one of the principal ways people learnt about Christianity, Bible stories, doctrine, and the practice of prayer. Most of us now experience it in a […] Advent Working Weekend Fri 28 Nov — Sun 30 Nov 2025 A working weekend heralding the start of Christmas season
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9am – 3pm Preparing for the greatest gift. Sue & Pauline guide you towards rediscovering the childlike hope and wonder of years past. Reflection Series A series of days to explore the journey within – all welcome, those of any faith or none. Join us for one, some or all. The days will start with […] |
11 events,
Meditation in the Christian tradition is an ancient and simple way of prayer. Our purpose is to teach meditation as a simple path to peace, community and oneness. Our vision is to help people establish peace in themselves and become places of peace in the world. Each session includes a short talk, a period of […]
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‘An intimate sharing between friends…’ Led by Audrey Hamilton Such was the simple, yet profound, description of prayer given to us by St Teresa of Avila. A warm, friendly and engaging personality, and the first woman to be declared a Doctor of the Church, in September 1970, she is the great teacher on prayer. Join us […]
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Journey into Healing - November 29th November 2025 The Purpose – of the workshop is to be open to ourselves, to each other and to God for growth and healing. Who is it for? – it is suitable for all who are looking for growth and insight in their relationships or in their inner, emotional or spiritual […] |
6 events,
You wake in my heart - an Advent retreat with Christopher Chapman 30th November 2025 - 2nd December 2025 You wake in my heart An Advent retreat on letting go to God with Christopher Chapman. The season of Advent invites us to make room for God. As God awakes within, we begin to wake into […] |
At the APR we aim to:
- promote the value of retreats and the work of retreat houses and retreat leaders
- support the provision of opportunities for quiet and reflection within the context of everyday life
- encourage training in retreat leadership and spiritual direction
- facilitate renewal and growth in spirituality
- enable the exploration of different expressions of Christian spirituality
As a membership organisation, we rely on subscriptions and donations to enable our work. If you are not already a member, please do consider joining APR, or you can make a one-off donation by clicking the ‘Donate’ button at the bottom of the page.
Announcements
There is still time to register for our Online Conference for Retreat House Wardens/Directors from 10am – 3pm on Wednesday 12th November. Find out more here, or email promoting.retreats@gmail.com to reserve your place.
Bookings are now open for the 2026 APR Spring Retreat at Sheldon Retreat Centre, with Helen Evans and Demelza Henderson. Click here to find out more or book your place.
In 2026, APR Administrator, Demelza Henderson, will be cycling from Land’s End to John O’Groats in aid of the APR Bursary Fund. To find out more, or sponsor her, please click here.
Click these links to read our 2025 Autumn Newsletter and the Minutes from our recent AGM.
Searching for Retreats
If you are looking for an Individually Guided Retreat (IGR) or Quiet Day, simply type ‘IGR’ or ‘Quiet Day’ into the search function on our online calendar – there are dozens of both listed throughout the year!
This week we are praying for...
Each week we pray for one of our member retreat houses or leaders. This week we are praying for the work of St Chad’s House in Leek, Staffordshire. Could you be their next Warden?
Are you looking for a new challenge?
There are vacancies for staff at the following APR Member Retreat Houses:
Volunteer Assistant manager at Hummingbird retreat, Granada
Warden at St Chad’s House, Leek
Pastoral Worker at the Bield at Blackruthven
Part-time Chaplain at Launde Abbey
Cook/Kitchen lead at The Abbey, Sutton Courtenay
Housekeeper at the Bield at Blackruthven
Core Member at the Othona Community (West Dorset)
General Assistant at Shepherds Dene
Administrator at the Sheldon Community
Catering Manager at Holy Rood House
Community member at the Sheldon Community
Membership
Please consider joining APR, and help us support retreat houses and extend the benefit of retreats to more people. See the membership page for more information.
Bursaries
Our Bursary Scheme is there to help our retreat house members enable more people to benefit from retreats, especially where cost might be an obstacle. See the Bursary page for details.
Resources
We regularly post articles and information on topics related to retreats, prayer, and Christian spirituality. We hope you will find something of interest; see the Resources Pages here.
Support the work of APR
As a membership organisation, we rely on subscriptions to enable our work. If you are not already a member, please do consider joining APR, so that we can do even more to promote retreats.
If you are a UK taxpayer, please consider Gift Aiding your donation. We are able to claim an additional 25% from HMRC on top of your donation, at no extra cost to you. All you need do is complete our online Gift Aid declaration form and we’ll take care of the rest.
How to Donate
If you would like to make a donation to support the work of APR, or specifically to the Bursary Fund, you can do so by means of the online donation button below.