think DIFFERENTLY
CRACK YOUR BIGGEST CHALLENGE IN NATURE
“An incredibly nourishing experience. Andy and Chloe held an expertly facilitated day that enabled us to reflect on our success and share our vision for the next five years. If you’re looking for a way to help your team bond and grow together, I’d choose Change in Nature every time! ”
space to think differently
What’s the biggest challenge your organisation is facing? Are you giving it the level of focus and attention it needs? Or are you going around in circles, crying out for a fresh approach?
Grappling with today’s challenges calls for no less than bringing our most refreshed minds into the environment where they perform best. As our world gets ever faster and more complex, we desperately need more time and space for deep, creative thinking. Distracted and worn out employees talking strategy in a concrete box simply won’t cut it.
That’s why some of the most successful entrepreneurs in the world take this approach. For example, Bill Gates gives himself two whole “Think Weeks” every year. And there’s a reason he spends these weeks in a remote cabin by a lake. It’s what we all know, and science now tells us – that our minds are much more receptive and creative when we’re out in nature.
Whatever it is you’re grappling with, we can help. We take teams into inspiring natural environments and help them to crack their biggest challenges using the power of refreshed, creative minds. Each programme is carefully tailored to the team and draws on our tried-and-tested Think Differently process. Hundreds of people have benefitted from our programmes, from CEOs to senior HR, marketing and sustainability professionals.
“Wonderful. A must-do. Best team day I’ve ever had.”
“A truly fantastic and unique day, full of surprises and ways of thinking out of the box.”
“Relaxing, productive, engaging - you must book a session!”
“Better than I ever thought a strategy and team-building day could be!”
the process
Our programmes are designed around the unique Change in Nature Think Differently process. At the centre of our model and all that we do is people. We believe that cracking tough challenges ultimately depends on building deep personal relationships and community around a common purpose.
1. Open. Awareness and spaciousness. Building trust and allowing for authentic personal expression.
2. Listen. Observe and develop empathy without judgement or solutions. Recognising complexity.
3. Explore. Shift perspectives and discover new insights. Innovating and opening mindsets.
4. Create. Crystallise vision and intention. Evolving and implementing.
5. Appreciate. Acknowledge successes and celebrating failures.
Between each step we allow for regrounding - time in nature for each individual to distil and assess their personal learnings, ensuring the process is developing on a firm and grounded basis at each stage.
“Essential. Taking time out from a hectic office and being led through these activities allowed us to connect with our core values and get to the heart of what can make our organisation a success. Working with nature was very powerful.”
“It’s really made a huge difference to the team. We cultivated a deep connection to truth, passion and purpose as we were led through a valuable and effective process.”
“By far the best team day I’ve ever been on and I would highly recommend Change in Nature to anyone wanting to find meaning and humanity within their organisation. Being out in nature made it an experience to treasure and remember.”
building regenerative culture
As well as sparking innovative thinking, our think differently experiences will revitalise your staff, and build deeper, more supportive and collaborative relationships within the team. Here is what participants have had to say:
“A really enlightening time with the team. I feel much more connected to everyone.”
“I loved the mix of fun, creative and thoughtful activities that have brought us together.”
“A lovely day of connecting with ourselves and colleagues in different ways and surroundings.”
“I felt deeply cared for and nourished.”
location
From spending the day at a hidden nature gem close to a big city to glamping in secluded woodland areas of outstanding natural beauty to staying at beautiful rural cottages, our programmes are held at carefully chosen venues across the UK. Many of these are not open to the public. Once we know a bit more about your team’s culture, we can find the right venue for you.
prices
We can offer our Think Differently programme as a day-long workshop, a 2 or 3 day immersive retreat, or as a longer change process (e.g. two 2-day retreats spaced over 6 months). It all depends on your organisation’s needs. Please get in touch with your requirements and we’ll be happy to provide a tailored quote.
What’s included?
Exclusive use of a carefully selected site // All accommodation (if required) // Facilitated discussions, workshops and experiential practices // Freshly prepared, healthy and delicious vegetarian meals.
CASE STUDY 1: Pukka herbs
We are midway through running 12 workshops for Pukka Herbs, the fastest growing organic tea company in the world. The brief is to create and facilitate intimate days (for six staff members at a time) which balance recuperation, deep connection and celebration with an exploration of personal and organisational purpose. This comes from a deeply held belief that a thriving company is staffed by thriving people - and that everyone gains from carving out time to cultivate wellbeing and connect with meaning. Following the success of the programme, we also ran a Think Differently day for the senior leadership team.
2019 feedback (from over 40 employees)
100% felt they built stronger connections with colleagues
97% felt a greater sense of general wellbeing
92% felt more inspired and creative; and
86% felt more connected to their sense of purpose
“A natural awakening!”
“Thought provoking and inspiring. I have felt comfortable being out of my comfort zone”
“Leaving with a renewed sense of purpose, ready to hit work and day-to-day life.”
“A heartwarming and humbling day. I am feeling positive and excited about our potential.”
case study 2: City to sea
We designed and ran a day for the sixteen staff of City to Sea, an award-winning not-for-profit organisation campaigning to stop plastic pollution. The organisation had experienced a phase of very rapid growth and restructuring, which was unsettling for some staff members, and the fast-paced campaign environment meant that there was little time for employees to reflect and celebrate successes. We ran a day in a beautiful woodland spa to help shape their 5 year vision, appreciate what has been achieved, deepen connections within the organisation and maintain a positive mindset.
Feedback (16 employees)
100% felt more connected to colleagues
100% felt more connected to the purpose and values of the organisation and clearer about their role within it
100% felt a greater sense of general wellbeing
94% felt the day unlocked different perspectives and new insights to solve a challenge they were facing
94% felt more positive about the role and success of the organisation going forward
“An incredible day. The whole team have nothing but positive words to say. I’m really happy with how everything went and thought the tone, sessions and flow of the day were perfect.”
watch the video for more feedback from city to sea
who we are
Change in Nature was created by two senior sustainability professionals who after many years of working to influence business and policy in Westminster, went on personal journeys in nature to renew their sense of purpose and drive. They set up Change in Nature to support other professionals to reenergise, reconnect and create change in their spheres of influence.
chloe revill
Chloe helps professionals to build deep mutual understanding, and rekindle their energy and drive. She is an international climate change diplomat and public policy strategist, who has worked closely with Government Ministers and senior negotiators from a wide range of developed and developing countries. She consultants for leading think tanks such as E3G, the European Climate Foundation and Mission2020
Andy Raingold
Andy is a coach, speaker, environmental campaigner and social entrepreneur with a wealth of experience leading people through transformation. As Executive Director of the Aldersgate Group for over seven years, he worked in the corridors of power with CEOs, Government Ministers and thought leaders to drive UK and EU policy change. He has written for the Guardian and been interviewed on BBC Newsnight, The Sunday Times, BBC Radio 4, The Independent and Guardian Environment Podcast.
what people have said about the way we facilitate our think differently programme…
“Good listeners who embraced what we had to say. Thank you for being sensitive to the needs and pace of the group.”
“The variety and pace was perfectly pitched. It is very inspiring being not only amongst nature, but spending time with facilitators who do their job so well.”
“An incredible journey. Your wisdom and calmness have been inspirational. ”
“Light touch yet powerful facilitation. Skilled guides who also allowed the team to work without over-facilitating the day. ”
if it works for them…
Individuals from a wide range of well known institutions have benefitted from our professional programmes:
for more information and bookings
Get in touch. We would love to hear from you. In 2019, we were full to capacity so early bookings are recommended.