CURIOSITY RETREAT
One-Day Retreats in London
INTRODUCING
need time & headspace?
This uplifting one-day retreat is for anyone feeling overwhelmed or stuck. It’s an invitation to slow down, find inspiration and gain clarity about how to make a positive impact on the world - without burning out.
Next
Sunday 19 May, 10am - 4pm.
Holborn House Community Centre in Bloomsbury, WC1N 3QW.
Upcoming
Wednesday 19 June, 10am - 4pm.
The Rosemary Branch Theatre in Islington, N1 3DT.
OVERVIEW
less stress, more clarity
Modern life is a non-stop stream of doing, rushing and striving. And we live in a VUCA world. Harvard Business Review explains the military and managerial acronym is short for Volatility, Uncertainty, Complexity and Ambiguity. VUCA is a catch-all for ‘it’s crazy out there!’. That’s certainly how it feels on the days when overwhelm, burnout or compassion fatigue seem unavoidable.
Now consider this: vuca in Zulu means ‘to wake up’. It starts by noticing the small moments of ordinary beauty in the world around us and within us.
Enter: the Curiosity Retreat. This is a day to relax, nourish your creativity and reconnect with your values and sense of purpose. You’ll discover that when you’re clear about your true priorities, you can work in way that is sustainable, uplifting and true. It starts with curiosity.
WHO IT’S FOR
Charity and VCSE professionals or local community group leaders.
Creative practitioners, writers and artists.
Students, activists and campaigners.
Health and social care professionals.
Freelancers, social entrepreneurs
ESG and CSR professionals at mission-driven companies
Anyone who considers themselves a changemaker!
HOW IT WORKS
Methodology: blend of creative mindfulness tools, reflective practices, practical tips and insights.
Inclusive & accessible: everyone is welcome at our welcoming and friendly retreat.
Manageable pace: start at 10am, finish by 4pm with breaks throughout.
Progressive pricing: three different options depending on freelancer status/organisation size.
WHAT YOU’LL LEARN
How to Minimise Burnout: reclaim your time, energy and attention.
How to Gain Clarity: identify your true priorities for your next project.
How to Boost Creativity: spark ideas, make space for inspiration.
How to Wake-up: reconnect with your intuition.
How to Cultivate Resilience: be at ease with uncertainty.
How to Feel Renewed: bring energy and abundance to the heart of everything.
YOUR GUIDE
Who's running it?
Clare Barry (she/her)
Curiosity Coach, Writer & Facilitator
Since 2014, I’ve helped hundreds of Londoners learn how to work with more intention and self-compassion through my Curiosity Retreats, mindful walks and writing for wellbeing workshops. No raisins, not sitting still - just noticing our surroundings and making space for more delight, calm and creativity.
Burnout and multiple bereavements led me to leave my career in higher education. Now I help people build energy, focus and resilience for the work that matters. If you want more energy and confidence for your next project, then join us at this inclusive and uplifting Curiosity Retreat.
My work and ideas have been featured in publications like Stylist, Balance and Women’s Health, Vanity Fair and Psychologies. And for more than 15 years I held management positions in executive education, organisational behaviour and philanthropic partnerships at nonprofits, London Business School and the LSE.
SCHEDULE
SESSION OUTLINE
1: Curiosity Masterclass & Chocolate Meditation
Discover different types of curiosity, how to ask better questions and ways to harness curiosity at work to minimise stress, maximise compassion and empathy + boost your sense of calm with chocolate meditation.
2: Creativity & Digital Mindfulness
Be inspired to nourish your creative wellbeing and embrace the power of taking a daily walk to spark better ideas, find solutions and manage digital distractions. You’ll learn how to reclaim time, headspace and focus.
3: Values Review & Resilience Toolkit
Using reflective and creative writing for wellbeing exercises you will reconnect with your values and sense of purpose and explore what self-care means. You’ll gain clarity and confidence for uncertain times.
4: Make a Tiny Rulebook
You’ll make a tiny zine and create your own personal rulebook based on the values and resilience toolkit you’ve outlined. No special materials needed - just an A4 page and willingness to reignite your creativity.
5: Closing Ritual
Gather for a final session to create a reset and release ritual. You’ll develop a stronger sense of connection to the world around you and to your inner compass. Leave feeling refreshed and energised!
TESTIMONIALS
PEOPLE SAY
“
Urban Curiosity embodies all that creativity is and should be: collaboration, fun, openness to learning and a willingness to follow sparks that emerge from all these things. It will nurture your creativity for months to come.”
Rachel Connor
Academic
“
I found the session inspiring, rejuvenating and far more therapeutic than I had anticipated! I particularly enjoyed making my little book and thinking about the idea of self empathy.”
Terri Mullholland
Writer and researcher
“
This is like a ticket to Wonderland: great mentor, fantastic adventures and unexpected wisdom.”
Mylene Dosal
Student
“
What a hugely enjoyable, stimulating, worthwhile day! There's a lot to be said for giving oneself "permission" to have a day away from all the routines and technological noise of everyday life to explore the inner mind a bit. I can't recommend this workshop highly enough.”
Stephanie Zia
Social Entrepreneur
BOOK
REGISTER NOW
Expand your creative horizons and boost your mental health - one step at a time.
FAQS
GOT questions?
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A full day of in-person or online group facilitation, coaching and training.
A Tiny Walkshop Toolkit.
All writing tools, zine-making materials and art supplies are provided for in-person retreats.
Snacks and hot drinks are provided for in-person retreats.
Chocolate/coffee beans are supplied for in-person retreats (for our chocolate meditation).
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Charity and VCSE professionals or local community group leaders.
Creative practitioners, writers and artists.
Students, activists and campaigners.
Freelancers and social entrepreneurs.
Health and social care professionals.
ESG and CSR professionals at mission-driven companies.
Anyone who considers themselves a changemaker.
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This one day Curiosity Retreat takes place online or in London. Registration is now open for these dates:
Friday 8 March, 10am - 4pm.
Online retreat via Zoom.Tuesday 19 March, 10am - 4pm.
Plot 9 Maze Hill therapeutic community garden and gathering space, (opposite) Leamington Court, Restell Close, Greenwich, London SE3 7RD.Wednesday 17 April, 10am - 4pm.
The Old Bakehouse Theatre, 11 Blackheath Village, London SE3 9LA.
Want a Curiosity Retreat for your team or organisation? Let’s talk →
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We blend creative mindfulness tools, storytelling, reflective practices, practical tips and insights to create an energising and inspiring Curiosity Retreat.
Manageable pace: start at 10am, finish by 4pm with breaks throughout.
Our online retreats take place on Zoom. They’re interactive and engaging. We don’t use breakout rooms as this retreat is very much for individuals. Any group sharing is optional.
Our in-person Curiosity Retreats involve a short mindful walk and the rest of our schedule is gathered together for a masterclass or workshops.
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How to Minimise Burnout: reclaim your time, energy and attention.
How to Gain Clarity: identify your true priorities for your next project.
How to Boost Creativity: spark ideas, make space for inspiration.
How to Wake-up: reconnect with your intuition.
How to Cultivate Resilience: be at ease with uncertainty.
How to Feel Renewed: bring energy and abundance to the heart of everything.
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Our April retreat takes place at The Old Bakehouse Theatre, Age Exchange, 11 Blackheath Village, London SE3 9LA.
Our May retreat takes place at Holborn Community Association, 35 Emerald Street, London WC1N 3QW.
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Holborn Community Association is a fully accessible venue.
Unfortunately The Rosemary Branch Theatre is not fully accessible. Our retreat will take place in the Marie Lloyd function room which is up a flight of stairs.
If you need more information or support, please email: hello@urbancuriosity.co.uk
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Taking time out to reflect, regain your sense of purpose and find clarity about what you need to feel more creative, energised and focus every day is time well spent. Here are a few reasons why curiosity matters:
→ Sparks better ideas
→ Boosts ability to focus
→ Strengthens emotional resilience
→ Encourages every day mindfulness
→ Supports positive mental health
→ Cultivates creativity and compassion.
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Our Open Programme workshops, retreats and events run on a progressive pricing model. This one-day Curiosity Retreat offers a sliding scale:
individuals who are freelancers or working at small organisations (with a turnover of under £500,000) pay £96;
those working it mid-sized organisations (with a turnover of £500,000-£2m) pay £144;
people working at large organisations pay £210 (with a turnover of more than £2m).
If you would like to speak to us about this, please get in touch: hello@urbancuriosity.co.uk
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Lunch is not provided. Feel free to bring your lunch with you to the retreat. There is a kitchen with microwave at the Holborn retreat but there is no microwave available at the Islington retreat.
Tea, coffee, water and snacks will be provided at all in-person Curiosity Retreats. (Including vegan, GF, halal and lactose-intolerant options.)
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If our progressive pricing model doesn’t work for your current personal circumstances or you work/volunteer an organisation that is unable to cover your costs, please consider applying for a scholarship. Complete this short scholarship request form.
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We have designed these Curiosity Retreats to be gentle, flexible and fun. If you need us to make an adjustment for you, please get in touch at the time of booking. Email: hello@urbancuriosity.co.uk
If you wish to pray or meditate during the retreat, then we can provide a quiet and private space at each of our in-person venues.
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Urban Curiosity has a no-refund policy. Please read it carefully before registering.
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Got a different question or want a Curiosity Retreat for your team or organisation? Let’s talk →
PRICING
what it costs
We run on a progressive pricing model:
£96 for Freelancers or Small organisations (with a turnover of under £500,000)
£144 for Mid-sized organisations (with a turnover between £500,000-£2m)
£210 for Large organisations (with a turnover of more than £2m)
