CURIOSITY RETREAT
One-Day Retreats in London
INTRODUCING
need time & headspace?
This uplifting one-day retreat is for changemakers 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.
Upcoming:
Wednesday 15 July, 12.30 - 5.30pm.
Holborn Community Association
35 Emerald Street
London WC1N 3QW
Future date:
4 September 2025
(For fundraisers, comms and partnerships professionals. Join our newsletter for early booking.)
In a world of constant change, AI acceleration and rising burnout, this is time to pause. If you've been feeling stuck, overwhelmed or just need some headspace to plan your next move, then this uplifting one-day reset is for you.
The Curiosity Retreat blends creative exploration, reflective practices, gentle walking and regenerative conversations.
This isn’t a day of sitting in a stuffy training room—it’s a dynamic, immersive experience that will help you shift your perspective and gain clarity. You’ll return to your work or project feeling energised, inspired and focused on what you need to do.
Who is thIS For?
This retreat is designed for:
✅ Climate action professionals
✅ ESG, CSR and sustainability teams
✅ Social impact specialists
✅ Climate and green teams champions
✅ Local authority staff working in climate, sustainability or social impact
✅ NHS and HEI staff involved in climate strategy or green plans
Why Curiosity?
When you reignite your curiosity, you open the door to:
Slowing down—so you can hear yourself think.
Asking better questions—to gain clarity on what’s next.
Playing with creative exercises—to unlock fresh ideas and perspectives.
Exploring new possibilities—so you can move forward with intention, not just urgency.
Curiosity is also an antidote to burnout. When you step back, you create space to regain focus, reconnect with your purpose and work in a way that is sustainable and true.
What You’ll Take Away
✅ Small tools for daily work and life
✅ Your own pocket rulebook for action
✅ A Tiny Walkshop Toolkit
✅ Fresh ideas, connections and a sense of possibility
YOUR GUIDE
Who's running it?
Clare Barry (she/her)
Writer, Partnerships Strategist & Creative Facilitator
Hello! I work at the intersection of creative health, climate action and social impact. I help changemakers reconnect with their creativity and purpose through curiosity retreats and walkshops. I also deliver participatory arts workshops that bring people together and foster a sense of belonging.
For more than 15 years, I worked in executive education, organisational behaviour and philanthropic partnerships at nonprofits, London Business School, the LSE and East End Community Foundation. Then burnout, back surgery and bereavement forced me to rethink everything.
I write about creativity, leadership, digital mindfulness, nature connection and wellbeing. My work and ideas have been published by or featured in publications like Stylist, Balance and Women’s Health, Vanity Fair and Psychologies. I believes creativity is a catalyst for change.
As former Head of Partnerships, Entrepreneurship & Social Change at the LSE, I bring strategic insight to help VCSE organisations develop sustainable income streams, build partnerships and tell compelling stories.
SCHEDULE
SESSION OUTLINE
Minimise Burnout: Build Your Own Resilience Toolkit
Burnout shrinks your world. Curiosity opens it back up. We’ll break down what fuels burnout and bust some burnout myths. Learn simple, human-first habits to build resilience, protect your energy and sustain yourself for the long haul.
Urban Curiosity Walkshop: Digital Mindfulness & Everyday Beauty
Unplug, slow down and learn how to see things differently. This guided walk blends digital mindfulness, nature connection and creative prompts to help you switch off autopilot, notice more and spark fresh ideas — even in the heart of the city.
Unlocking Creativity: Tiny Tools for Big Shifts
Curiosity powers fresh thinking, better conversations and new ideas. Try small, low-pressure experiments that loosen perfectionism, shift patterns and reveal possibilities hiding in plain sight.
Eco-Anxiety to Agency: Create a Pocket Rulebook for Action
Explore how to turn climate overwhelm into hopeful, values-led action during our mindful art session. You’ll make a tiny zine or a personal rulebook as you reconnect to the values, boundaries and resilience habits that support positive action. No need special artistic talents needed - just a willingness to play with art supplies and have fun.
Why Join Us?
Build creative resilience for your work and life
Learn practical tools you can use straight away
Prevent burnout with simple, human-first habits
Reconnect with your purpose and values
Enjoy a community of peers who understand your challenges
Reignite your curiosity to spark fresh ideas and energy
Book your sPOt now
Taking time out to slow down can feel hard – even impossible. This retreat is an opportunity to relax and reset your thinking. The world won't stop turning if you slow down.
The Curiosity Retreat gives you permission to pause and refocus, so you can return to your work and life feeling clear, energised and ready to create positive change.
👉 Spaces are limited to 15 participants to ensure a high-impact, small group experience.
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 group facilitation 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.
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Yes, the venue is fully accessible.
If you need more information or support, please email: hello@urbancuriosity.co.uk
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Lunch is not provided. Feel free to bring your lunch with you to the 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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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
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Urban Curiosity has a no-refund policy. However, you can transfer your place to a colleague for the date you booked, just let us know in advance.
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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 offer a sliding scale to reflect organisational size and capacity:
Freelancers / small organisations (under £500k): £175 pp (or £160 pp for 2+ bookings)
Medium organisations (up to £5m): £225 pp (or £210 pp for 2+ bookings)
Large organisations (over £5m): £275 pp (or £250 pp for 2+ bookings)
Not sure where you fit, or need to discuss accessibility or group rates? Get in touch.
