Becoming a Facilitator: Finding My Own Delivery Style Through Opportunities and Challenges

Abstract

Becoming a writing retreat facilitator is about more than just the training. After attending Rowena Murray’s training course for writing retreat facilitators, I did not feel ready to lead a structured writing retreat. I attended a number of residential and day writing retreats led by different facilitators; all this helped me find my voice. From July 2019 I started facilitating my own groups in North Yorkshire, gradually refining my own style and owning the role. The residential writing retreats became a regular, monthly feature, and increasingly, I felt driven to introduce new elements, such as mindful breaks and yoga sessions. The retreats attracted mostly PhD students in the late stages of writing up and early-career researchers tying up loose ends. March 2020 was probably the pinnacle of this early phase. Then Covid-19 hit. The hospitality sector was in the eye of the storm, and as a newly fledged academic/entrepreneur I envisaged closing up shop. Discovering Zoom changed all this. I started navigating the hitherto alien world of online course delivery and offered a women-only free virtual writing retreat service: Well Write Wednesdays. In late July 2020 I started running the first ever socially distanced residential academic writing retreats in the UK.

https://www.chapelgarth.com/contact-us

Appendices

Appendix: Guidelines Sent 9 July 2020

Writing Retreats at Chapelgarth

SUMMER 2020

I am really looking forward to welcoming you (back) at Chapelgarth this summer. It’s been a long time since we opened our Writing Room!

I am writing to you to let you know about the changes that we have put in place in response to the Covid-19 crisis and the easing of lockdown. I am keenly aware that the retreat/restore aspect is a very important part of the experience of our residential writing retreats and I have therefore worked hard to ensure that everything is in place so that you feel safe and can therefore relax and focus once at Chapelgarth.

Due to the unique service we offer, I have been following closely all government updates relating to both the hospitality and catering sector as well as libraries/universities measures.

Returners will have to adapt to the new system, so please read this carefully as there will be quite a few changes which you will need to take on board!

Before Setting Off and on Arrival

• We are asking everyone to take their temperature on the day that they are travelling to the venue.

• On arrival we may also check that you do not have a temperature.

• On arrival (4.00 pm) please park in the car park and wait in the car—ring me on (telephone number) so that I can take each of you separately through the appropriate entrance/reception where there are hand sanitizers.

• There will be hand sanitizers throughout the house.

Blended Writing Retreat

• As a facilitator I will be doing most of the initial talking. When giving instructions I will be using a screen to communicate to all participants in different writing rooms.

Social Distancing

• One-way system of staircase in place (signs will be put up as reminders).

• Each Writing Room to hold max 3 people on individual desks (2 m distance).

• Dining Room and breaks room also with individual tables (2 m distance)—weather permitting breaks will be outside or in the conservatory.

Hygiene

• Bathrooms/restrooms. Each retreater should use their own bathroom/ shower room (allocated or ensuite). This will mean going upstairs during breaks and washing your hands only in your own allocated area—there will be no shared washrooms available downstairs.

• All main meals/snacks will be served at your allocated tables. When serving and clearing the dishes from your individual tables I will be wearing a mask or visor and gloves.

• All rooms will be aired to ensure ventilation, however the Writing Room should remain a Quiet Room and goal-setting and chats will take place either in the garden or in the conservatory area.

Other stuff: All break activities will be outside. Please take welly boots, waterproofs (anoraks and trousers if possible as grass may be high) and own tennis racquets/balls if desired (Tennis court has just been repainted!). The wooden garden chairs are quite hard so feel free to take your own cushion!