"I came to the Crossroads Retreat on the recommendation of a friend. I had left my job, dissatisfied with what I was doing, applied and interviewed for lots of things, but I was unsure where I wanted to go and what I wanted to do. The retreat was a time of things finding their place and perspective. I was touched by how kind and gentle the guides were, encouraging to be around and inspiring to listen to. They created the perfect environment for our group to open up and share about our lives' journeys. Over the course of the two days I grew to feel grounded, connected to the time and place I was in. I could look back and see where I had come, who I was and what it had made of me, and this meant I could look forward too. I had become a stranger to some of myself. As I told my story and listened to others, I was reunited with the things that really brought me alive, what I was good at and where I wanted to go. I didn't come out of the retreat knowing exactly what it was I was called to do or how to go about it, but I had learnt how to listen to myself and reflect on the course of my life. When I came home from the two days away there was a letter waiting, offering me a job which I took and love, Crossroads taught me a different way to move in life, a way to make decisions both big and small - I have carried this with me ever since."

John

"I attended a crossroads retreat as it had been recommended to me by a good friend of mine. At the time I had recently left the Army and was very much seeking direction in my life as to what I was going to do now.

On arriving I was made to feel very welcome by the guides putting me at ease. We had a wonderful group  and we all got along exceedingly well which certainly helped as we all shared our stories and discussed in detail our personal circumstances.

I was very impressed with the guides; they were kind and encouraging and gave direction without being prescriptive. They helped  to remind me of the things that are really important to me. I felt that things were stirring up in me which got me excited as I remembered some of the things that I am passionate about.

After two days which comprised of numerous activities, discussion, time for reflection and fabulous food; I sensed my pathway was becoming clearer, though still leaving me with options as to where to go now. I now feel much happier in myself and much more confident about facing the future which had previously seemed fairly uncertain."

Oliver

“I retired three weeks ago and have found the act of retirement, rather than the anticipation, a transforming experience.  One of the things I have discovered is the miss-match between my core nature, skills and strengths and the demands of the work I have done for the last 40 years.  When you are in the workplace it is not as clear.  Every morning you get up put on the suit and the mask and trot off to the office without noticing that over the years there has been an increasing miss-alignment between the demands of the workplace and what you bring to it.  When I attended a Crossroads Retreat 2 years ago the key moment was being asked to reflect on an occasion when I really felt I was doing something that was going well and using my talents to the full.  I have thought about that a lot since then.  It is becoming even clearer now I have stopped doing things that are the reverse of what I am good at.  If there was anything I would want to share, it is the importance of being honest about oneself, with oneself.  Then we can start to do what we have been designed to do."

Simon

"Thank you for an excellent retreat last week.  I didn't quite know what to expect, but it proved really useful in a whole number of ways, especially clarifying what I should be doing and where I should be going next"

Retreatant June 08

"Thank you for what proved to be a very fruitful 2 days for me the other week.  The structure and format of the retreat really helped me to clarify my thoughts and answer some key questions, and will provide a very solid foundation for some key changes in my life over the next 6 - 9 months"

Retreatant June 08

“I went on a Crossroads retreat in 2006.  I booked the retreat when I thought I might be at a crossroads regarding my work but when I actually attended I had got to the stage of feeling happy and settled at work. However at the start of 2008, I am totally changing directions career wise.  Having participated in a Crossroads Retreat, I feel more able to leave my present job (where I have been for 26yrs) and move on. I wanted to share this with you as I believe that the Retreat helped me to identify things I would have difficulty leaving; leaving my work and work colleagues.  It also helped me to realise I would cope with leaving. I found the Walk of Change really helpful in this.So thanks to all who led the retreat I was on at Stanton House.”

Christine

“I was amazed at the quite spontaneous level of commitment to each other that developed so naturally in the group. This led to a deep sense of 'connection' which enabled the whole retreat process to take place in a atmosphere where we could be real and vulnerable without feeling exposed. In 2 short days I made significant progress in some areas where I had been previously 'stuck'. Our Crossroads guides were brilliant, and there was an excellent balance between personal reflection time and guided process. In such a quiet and unassuming way this experience has had a very positive and far-reaching impact on where I am now.”

David

“Things are moving fast, I have to say. All that happened on the retreat is really taking shape, in a scary way in fact.”

Paul

“Just wanted to get in touch to say thank you for recommending the Crossroads Retreat to me. I went on the Turvey retreat last Thursday and Friday and had the most relaxing time. The place was beautiful, the guides lovely and very helpful and I found the time and space it granted me really useful. I think the break has been really helpful in giving me fresh energy and confidence for the job/career market. The activities certainly helped build up a positive sense of self. So I wanted to say thank you. I am recommending it to friends who find themselves in similar positions!”

Lisa

“It was a fantastic few days. It reminded me of things about myself that I had forgotten and also gave me the confidence to do the next step. I have been recommending it to my friends ever since!”

Hannah

"The feeling of awkwardness I felt as I went on my first retreat evaporated within minutes, and amazingly I am still reaping insightful and hugely encouraging benefits a year later. I have never known two days seem like two whole weeks before - so refreshing, so different, so worthwhile!”

Hilary