Wild Alchemy
A SOULFUL journey of change BY the sea, through the seasons
- FOUR GATHERINGS - MAY TO DECEMBER 2024 -
IMMERSIVE TRAINING TO CONNECT, CREATE, FACILITATE AND GROW YOUR POSITIVE IMPACT IN THE WORLD
WITH ANDY RAINGOLD, CHLOE REVILL AND MARTHA TILSTON
“Wild Alchemy is a multi-layered, rich and lovingly held opportunity of deeper connection on every level. It was transformational.”
Come gather round dear friends, and join a crew of fellow way-makers for a transformative journey as we travel through the four seasons together where the land meets the sea. We will slow down and attune to nature’s rhythms… And we will step up; offering something more true, bold and beautiful to the world. It will be a creative, soulful and courageous journey of becoming in the places where we feel most alive, and of gaining the confidence and skills to inspire the wider change we need.
In a nutshell
Connect to self, others and nature
Transform through creativity
Learn and deepen facilitation skills
Grow your positive impact in the world
tHE SKILLS AND LEARNING
It brings together and deepens all our Change in Nature offerings in one 8 month programme. Here’s what you will be honing and growing:
1. CONNECT
Deepening your connection to nature and community
Developing your capacity for greater awareness, presence and mindfulness - and the skill to pass this on to others
Experiencing a diverse and varied toolkit of nature connection practices
Practicing various techniques to bring your life into greater alignment with nature’s seasons
2. CREATE
Finding your creative voice to inspire change - through story, song, art and poetry
Mastering the art of storytelling craft
Learning to concoct magical experiences in nature
3. FACILITATE
Developing and deepening group facilitation and leadership skills
Strengthening your communication and active listening skills
Building your knowledge and experience of powerful group and community-building processes
4. GROW
Clarifying your personal sense of purpose and what you want to offer others
Refining your unique gifts and turning them into a tangible and courageous offering to the world - supported by a clear and bold action plan
Enhancing your sense of wellbeing, vitality, flow, adaptability and resilience - allowing you to live more responsively in an ever-changing world
WHO IS IT FOR?
Wild Alchemy is for you if you are seeking a big change in 2024 — a chance to come together with others and explore a deeper, more authentic and nature-attuned way of being. A core intention of the journey is shifting “from exploration to action” - so it will work best for those who feel called to step up and grow what they are offering to the world, with the support and accountability of community. We’ve found that people from a wide variety of professional backgrounds join our programmes and all of them find creative ways of applying the learning to their work and personal lives.
WHY NOW?
This is a powerful time to be alive. Many of us are asking how we can meet the multiple challenges we face in a way that generates the hope and renewal we desperately need for ourselves, our communities and our living planet. Many of us are feeling called to re-imagine the very foundations of who we are and how we live our lives. We believe that answers can be found by coming back to our ancient home of deeper connection and alignment with the natural world. And that from a more resourced and connected place within our own being, our actions in service to others and all of life can grow and flourish in unimaginable ways.
Where?
Transformation so often happens at the edges. We will gather where the land meets the sea; that threshold our ancestors crossed over 500 million years ago from the deep waters where life itself began. The ocean will be our constant companion and source of wisdom throughout this journey. Inspired by its hidden depths, we will return to a deeper part of ourselves, souls reinvigorated. You can expect breathtaking beauty, clear blue waters, big skies, salty air, crashing waves, sandy beaches, clifftop views, tides of transformation… and maybe even seals, selkies and mermaids…
“Life changing, life affirming, magical. A safe and beautiful container for transformation.”
“The magic of being seen and appreciated and the alchemy of turning that into something to share. ”
WHAT IS THE FOCUS?
Are you nurturing the transformation you long for in the world? It may be that you desire to facilitate more innovation in your work, pioneer a community eco-initiatve or lead with more authenticity and integrity? We all have the potential and capacity to inspire the change we want to see - but often we don’t give our potential enough care to really grow and manifest; or our doubts and fears get in the way. The focus of this shared journey through the seasons is to slow down and step up… The wild alchemy of refining and honing our gifts and agency, and gaining the confidence to offer them courageously to the world.
what is the intention?
We will co-create a safe and positive learning space to explore:
Personal Transformation: Coming into ‘right relationship’ with ourself, others and the natural world as a source of personal growth and change; and finding ways to inspire others to do the same in a way that feels authentic.
Professional Transformation: Refining and manifesting our passions and gifts, prototyping new ideas, liberating ourselves from what holds us back, bringing fresh inspiration into our work and projects, and deepening into courageous action in the world.
WHAT WILL WE BE DOING?
Exploring how we can be effective agents of change in this extraordinary time by leaning into new ways of being that are personally, collectively and systemically regenerative. Together we will pause, breathe, gather our energies and revisit the sense of purpose and meaning that is guiding our lives. There will be four gatherings over four seasons, where we will share a wealth of carefully curated guidance and practices to help us attune to nature’s rhythms and act in greater service to life.
In between gatherings, we will invite you to practice and deepen your learning in a way that resources and inspires you (expect a minimum commitment of one hour per week). This will include:
Experimenting with a passion project - what would you love to offer others if you had a bit more time, space or courage?
Creating cultures of deeper connection - transforming how you relate to friends, colleagues and community
Peer-to-peer coaching
Connecting with nature on your own or with others - including marking seasonal edges and going on mini-nature adventures
WHAT is the culture?
You can expect a culture of openness and experimentation – allowing new possibilities to emerge – with a strong emphasis on co-creation and collective support. We find that there is a huge power in the collective, rather than getting stuck trying to work things out on our own. That’s why we nurture positive learning communities - inquiring, dialoguing, joining dots, working together, sharing wisdom and co-creating something that works for all of us - while being held accountable to our intentions.
“I have been on quite a few courses and retreats and this is without doubt one of the absolute best experiences I have had.”
“A community cauldron that helps you connect to the medicine you yourself need so that you can move out into the world and share it with others.”
THE JOURNEY
SPRING: inspiration - the power of potential (25 - 28th April 2024)
When life is bursting with possibility, we will open our senses to the wildflower meadows and turn our faces towards the returning sun; (re)igniting the sense of potential and purpose in our lives. In tune with the season, we will cultivate our vitality, playfulness and creativity - allowing ourselves to dream big, and embrace new growth and ways of being in the world.
SUMMER: abundance - deepening our relationship with all of life (26 - 30th june 2024)
When the days are long and the greenery is abundant, we will lean into the landscape of light and deepen our relationship with all of life through practices like solo-immersion on the land. We will invite nature to be our guide and companion, and allow ourselves to be changed by our insights. We will pour our summer energy into passion projects that serve our communities.
AUTUMN: harvest - the fruiting of our gifts (12 - 15th sept 2024)
At this time of gathering and celebration, we will learn to weave more creativity into our lives and our projects. With day and night in perfect balance around the Autumn Equinox, we will gather together with storytelling, poetry, song and laughter - deepening into the fruits of our gifts and exploring how to offer these to others in ways that are innovative and impactful.
WINTER
: integration - distilling widsom and leading with heart (5 to 8th december 2024)
In these long, dark nights, we will gather around the fire in a cosy clifftop house as the waves curl and crash below to distill the wisdom of the journey and apply the learnings to our lives. There will be time for deep rest, reflection and appreciation of the path traveled. We will provide space to articulate the intentions and questions we are holding for the next year’s cycle and the opportunity to be accountable with peers for the continuation of our dreamings and projects.
WHAT WILL YOU COME AWAY WITH?
We hope that you will leave feeling empowered to make positive changes in your life and work – supported by clear and bold actions and strategies for bringing your gifts to the world… As well as being refreshed, rejuvenated and inspired. You will leave with deep roots in a new community, who will support you throughout this time together and help you keep the spark alive once the year is over.
“I feel much more able to bring this approach into my future work – as opposed to something that is separate.”
“Beautiful work bringing life-changing and community-transforming skills to the world.”
the places we will visit on the way
COOMBE FARM, 20 MINS FROM EXETER IN EAST DEVON (SPRING & AUTUMN)
A 15 acre farm with wild flower meadows and ancient woodland close to the red cliffs and stunning beach of Budleigh Salterton, and just a short walk from East Devon’s Pebblebed Heaths - an expansive wild place and Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
POLCOOMBE, 45 MINS FROM PLYMOUTH IN EAST CORNWALL (SUMMER)
A wildlife and community project near Polperro, stewarding over 60 acres of woodland within a steep river valley and near one of the region’s best-kept secrets - the pristine white sands and tranquil waters of Lantic Bay.
PRUSSIA COVE, 20 MINS FROM PENZANCE IN WEST CORNWALL (WINTER)
A cosy clifftop cottage by beautiful secluded coves and headlands which is a Site of Special Scientific Interest and an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
our IMPACT
We ran a shortened version of Wild Alchemy in 2023 and this is what participants said:
100% gained insight and clarity around purpose and what to offer others
100% had a richer sense of their personal style
100% gained confidence to hold and lead groups
100% felt more prepared to share gifts and offer something in service to others
100% deepened connection to nature
“I have a greater sense of where my true gifts lie, not just what I’m good at, but where my heart is.”
“Wonderful frameworks and teachings via two deeply present, knowledgeable and loving facilitators.”
“This course is being the change we want to see in the world… Rich sharing and collaborating, deep connections, trust, creativity, appreciation and celebration. ”
“Wild Alchemy is a nature immersion of heart-centred teaching. The community builds on itself to foster inner work in service of insight, integration and joy of purpose.”
BOOK NOW TO SECURE YOUR PLACE
MANY OF our training courses HAVE BEEN heavily over-subscribed in the last few years, so early booking is recommended
BOOKING
We don't want price to exclude anyone. Use your discretion to decide if a low income place applies to you. If this is unaffordable for you, please do get in touch by applying for a bursary place (click here) and let us know what might work for you.
We are currently offering a limited number of early bird places with significant savings on the full course fee. Book now and pay £1650 standard or £1400 low income (saving £1000!). We offer these early birds at a highly discounted rate as this helps us to plan in advance more effectively and gives us more security. You can also choose to pay a deposit now (£300) and pay the rest in installments (we will email you to arrange a payment plan that works for you).
The course fee includes all teaching, as well as all dinners and breakfasts (you bring your own packed lunches). For the gatherings in spring, summer and autumn, we will be camping (bring your own tent or campervan). The winter gathering is fully residential and your accommodation is included in the course fee.
the facilitators
Change in Nature was created by us, Chloe Revill and Andy Raingold, 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 our sense of purpose and drive. We set up Change in Nature to help people and organisations deeply connect with the change they would like to see in the world and be more fully resourced to make a meaningful contribution in this extraordinary time. We have developed a powerful process to help people reconnect with purpose, build strong personal connections, and significantly enhance their motivation and vitality. Over 1000 people have participated in our programmes and past collaborators include sustainability leader Jonathon Porritt, change maker Mac Macartney, author Giles Hutchins, film producer Jamie Catto and non-violent conflict transformation practitioner Sarri Bater.
For more detailed bios click here to view our “About Us” page.
GUEST FACILITATOR: martha tilston (Musician, writer, director and actress) - AUTUMN GATHERING
Martha Tilston has developed a successful musical and film making career with a large and loyal following worldwide. She has played her music on some of the world’s most prestigious stages and festivals and released several critically acclaimed albums. In the world of film making, Martha has gained nominations for best arts film for The Clifftop Sessions and recently released her feature film The Tape which she writes, directs and performs in. Martha also studied theatre and lectures in song writing, performance and the telling of story through song. Her passion is unlocking the creativity and story in all of us. She regularly facilitates on Change in Nature retreats and will be co-facilitating the Autumn gathering of Wild Alchemy.