Calling mental health groups & practitioners in South Lakeland, Cumbria, Lancashire & the surrounding area. The 5th round of Rookhow’s Bunkbarn’s Retreat Away Fund is now open.
If you would like a heavily discounted retreat for your mental health group of up to 30 people, please read the details below and complete the application form before March 15th 2023.
About the retreat destination
Rookhow is a series of woodland accommodations run by a Quaker charity in the quiet Rusland Valley, South Lake District about 15 minutes from Ulverston. Rookhow consists of a 16-bed bunk barn, opposite a 300-year-old historic Meeting House which is used for extra group space, set in 12 acres of private, magical, oak woodland with renovated yurt, two campfires and plenty of space to roam.
Everything you need to know about the fund
The Retreat Away Fund subsidises residentials and therapeutic work for people experiencing poor mental health. So far, the retreat away fund has been able to support 20 groups and over 300 people, with groups including:
- Home 2 Work (Cleator Moor),
- Love Barrow Families,
- Always Another Way,
- Safety Net,
- Family Action Barrow,
- PiNC,
- Furness Multi-cultural forum
- Wave Forward.
After using up a grant from the Quaker Mental Health fund UK, Rookhow realised how valuable this fund was to the groups that visited. Trustees have now committed to adding 5% of bookings income into the Retreat Away Fund and have had some generous donations from individuals and local Quaker Meetings to continue the fund.
The fund would pay for part (or all) of your accommodation costs. Stays can be flexible and suited to your groups such as 2 nights minimum, mid-week or weekend or day use of the meeting space and woodland.
Rookhow usually costs £460 per night for sole use or £120 per day for just the use of the Meeting House and woodland. However, with the Retreat Away Fund, you can apply for a 25%, 50%, 75% or 100% discount.
Rookhow would especially welcome new applications but will consider groups which have been funded before, especially if it is for different people. The grants are primarily for people in need who would not otherwise be able to afford a holiday.
You would be greeted by the Rookhow team, and then would have the place to yourselves. Staffing, transport, food, and activities would be organised and paid for by your own organisation.
How to get involved
Check our website for more information about
- Rookhow accommodation
- When the accommodation has availability
- And most importantly, the funding application form which needs to be completed by the 15th of March 2023.
Please contact us if you would like to discuss this further or if you have any questions
- Telephone number: 07377 971783
- Email: [email protected]
Rookhow would be happy to show you around and have a chat about your application and the needs of your group before you apply. They have Open Days on the 1st and 3rd Friday of every month 10am-4pm (with free cake!). They can also pencil dates in the calendar if there is a particular time you’d like to stay. They are particularly looking at bookings for this summer and autumn.
