2013 Male Survivors Residential Weekend

Venue: Chartridge Conference Centre, Chesham, HP5 2TU has extensive landscaped grounds which makes this 19th century house a tranquil escape to focus on your recovery. It’s very well connected – just 40 minutes by train or tube from London and easily accessible from Heathrow, all mains road and motorways.

5th ~ 7th July 2013

The 2013 Male Survivor Weekend retreat is for NON OFFENDING ADULT MALE SURVIVORS of sexual child abuse and sexual assaults.

The price has been held at £250.00 for the weekend

Previous and extensive experience clearly shows that your recovery process can accelerate when male survivors come together, and your recovery and learning is enhanced by the residential component of the weekend.

If the thought of being with a group of men scares you, then you should come along, and experience the changes that can come from sharing this weekend, as the whole event is intended for men who want to get actively engaged in their own recovery work.

Working throughout the weekend, in groups, small workshops and other arenas of healing, you will begin to reach a deeper understanding of the issues that have affected you, and you will begin to see a better way forward from the hurt and pain that has held you in isolation for so long.

The whole weekend is highly participative and focuses on several activities - group discussions, sharing of stories, anger work, other emotional expression, shared creativity, relaxation and even FUN in a safe, nurturing environment. Yes, FUN!

We provide you with a recovery experience in a safe, powerful environment of shared healing, as the weekend focuses on the reality of recovery as can only be shown by being with and around fellow male survivors. Read some of the comments below from previous attendees of the weekend and see what changed for them.

There are many valid reasons for holding these weekend, but a simple way of describing it is as follows:

WE REMEMBER...

* 10% of what we read
* 20% of what we hear
* 30% of what we see
* 50% of what we hear and see
* 90% of what we do

....so we learn most by doing and reflecting on our actions!

There are safety rules built into the weekend to ensure everyones safety during the weekend, but the THREE primary rules we insist upon are:

  • MAINTAIN CONFIDENTIALITY BETWEEN THE GROUP.
  • NO VIOLENCE, OR THREATS OF VIOLENCE DIRECTED TOWARDS ANYONE, INCLUDING YOURSELF.
  • NO ILLEGAL DRUGS ALLOWED AT ANYTIME DURING THE WEEKEND.

    N.B. If ANY one of these rules are broken, you WILL be asked, and expected to leave the premises.

    Considerable attention has always been invested in creating an environment respectful of all participants' needs, and it remains our intention to provide that at this great venue.

    Please be aware that the weekend could potentially generate strong emotions, so it is recommended that you have to someone to talk with, be that in therapy or with a counsellor willing to meet with you after the event, but only if such a meeting is required.

    IT IS ALSO ADVISABLE TO ENSURE THAT ON DEPARTING THE WEEKEND, THAT YOU TAKE AT LEAST A DAY OR TWO OFF WORK, SO YOU CAN SPEND SOME TIME PROCESSING WHAT HAPPENED DURING THE WEEKEND. WE KNOW THAT IS NOT ALWAYS POSSIBLE, BUT PLEASE CONSIDER IT, AS YOU WILL BE WORKING THROUGHOUT THE WEEKEND, AND IT' HELPFUL TO TAKE SOME TIME OUT TO GET MUCH NEEDED REST.

    COMMENTS RELATING TO PREVIOUS RETREATS:

  • "In a nutshell, FUCKING AWESOME. More specifically, the retreat was an amazing, mindblowing chance to meet other survivors, share stories, vent anger and grief safely, create, perform, leave all the guilt shit behind, make close connections, make isolation a thing of the past.

  • "I was able to meet and discuss things with people that had been through the same feelings and experiences in a safe and trusting environment. I found out that I was not alone"

  • "If you had told me that I would share a whole weekend with other men, and not feel nervous or afraid, I would have said it would never happen. I am SO glad that I attended the weekend and thank Steve and all the guys for the welcome they gave me!

  • The weekend was a 'life changer' and I know now that I can decide when to make that change"

  • "It was a fantastic weekend. Inspirational, emotional, traumatic and funny...not often you'd get that mix from more than 20 blokes!"

  • "By facing up to all that I avoided for 30 or more years I'm feeling strong,confident and calm"

  • "The most empowering, fun, emotional..weekend with the most open, honest, brave, caring men I think I will ever have the good fortune to meet!"

  • "At first, I thought I would not be able to particpate, but liked that I quickly felt safe"

  • "Well structured and organised. Good mix of people and good food! No surprise or disturbances and everything worked to a good timetable"

  • "A unique experience that allowed me to share, explore and understand how sexual abuse effected myself and other survivors "

  • "I have never been to such a safe, AND non judgemental place before!

  • "I was able to be ME, vulnerable, scared, ashamed, angry and experience whatever emotions or feelings I had"

  • "All those men, together in one place, sharing their stories and visons of recovery was an experience I will never forget"

  • "I was scared of what would happen, and had no idea what would occur, but it surpassed everything I could have imagined"

  • "I broke my silence whilst there, and have not looked back since the weekend"

    INFORMATION ABOUT THE NEW VENUE

    We had to source a new venue for this year and are pleased to say that we found a real nice place that offers us privacy for our work and allows us the freedom to be open to all our work that we undertake


    (A more detailed timetable of the weekend is available upon arrival)

    • Please read the Conditions below to get more information on the weekend and the time scale on when to pay the costs

    STANDARD TERMS AND CONDITIONS

    All Bookings are Subject to the following Terms and Conditions which MUST BE READ BEFORE BOOKING:-

    The price of the weekend includes a full weekend of therapy sessions and healing workshops, along with all meals, an ensuite single bedroom, tea and coffee facilities and towels are also provided.

    A provisional booking confirmation may be obtained by telephone or email and will be confirmed to you in writing or by email. Within seven days of receipt of your booking form and/or deposit we will give you the date by which the balance is due. Once the fee has been received the deposit will be non-refundable and will be deducted from the full amount due.

    You may wish to arrange personal insurance to cover any personal losses or potential injuries as you are liable for anu incidents outside of our control. Please note that there is no dangerours activities over the weekend

    The balance of the cost for the period for which you have booked is due no later than FOUR weeks before the start of the weekend.

    In the event that you are booking less than ONE week before the start of the weekend, and if there are available places, payment in full will be required with the Booking Form.

    If FULL payment has not been received by FOUR weeks before the start of the weekend, we CANNOT reserve your place, due to a new venue and their conditions placed on us. Your deposit will be lost.

    You may arrive at the venue by or after 5.00 p.m. If you would like to arrive earlier, please mention it at the time of booking and we will let you know whether it will be possible.
    You are asked to vacate the room no later than 9.00a.m on the final day to allow the staff access to clean the bedrooms.
    Bedroom keys must also be handed into the reception. Suitcases and bags can be left in the room we use for the last session, which is safe,

    All persons occupying the Conference centrre are required to treat the fabric of the building and the furniture and fittings with due care and only to use them for the purpose for which they are supplied.

    All damage must be reported as soon as possible.

    Payment may be made by Cheque and account details are also available on request for payment to be made through Internet Banking.

    If you have to cancel your booking, you should write to us at our address as soon as the reason for the cancellation occurs.

    The day that we receive your written notification is the date of cancellation.

    A charge will be payable, depending on the number of days before the start date that the notice of cancellation is received.

    Page Updated: 27th FEBRUARY 2013.

    EMAIL US HERE