Creative Retreat

21st–22nd March 2025, Youlgreave
Hosted by Local | Supported by Create Growth | Part of Derbyshire Makes

Nestled in the picturesque Derbyshire village of Youlgreave, a group of talented designer-makers gathered for two days of reflection, learning, connection, and above all, creative rejuvenation. The Creative Retreat, delivered as part of the Derbyshire Makes programme and supported by Create Growth, offered something rare and vital: time and space away from the demands of daily life to focus on the self, the practice, and the creative journey ahead.

From the outset, the atmosphere was welcoming and calm. As participants arrived on Friday morning, tea and coffee in hand, a gentle buzz of anticipation filled the retreat space. Our first session, an informal welcome hosted by Derbyshire Make’s Creative Director Claire Tymon, set the tone for the weekend. With light icebreakers and space for introductions, we each had the opportunity to share what we hoped to gain from the experience. The common threads? Space to breathe, time to reflect, and the desire to connect with others who understand the joys and challenges of running a creative business.

Claire kicked things off with a conversation exploring what it means to connect, starting with ourselves. Through a mix of group discussion and individual reflection, we examined how our creative practices are shaped by the environments we live in and the people we surround ourselves with. A key takeaway was the importance of creating intentional time to pause and tune in - not only with our work but with our purpose. We also explored how peer support can become a lifeline in times of creative or business uncertainty. As one participant put it, “It was a gentle but powerful reminder that we don’t have to do it all alone.”

Charlotte Marsh, founder of Benefits of Better Breathing, guided us through a transformative hour of seated breathwork. Her teaching blended science, personal assessment, and hands-on techniques that we could easily apply to our daily lives. We explored how proper breathing could reduce stress, improve focus, and open the door to creative flow.

Did you know that breathing through your nose makes you more alert? Who knew!

Charlotte recommended two books that sparked deeper curiosity:

The Breathing Cure by Patrick McKeown

Breath by James Nestor

This workshop reminded us that even the simplest practices - like taking a full, conscious breath - can be powerful tools for resilience and clarity. We were even introduced to nasal strips and how they can help you to breathe better when sleeping. We had lots of fun trying those out!

Derek’s storytelling workshop turned out to be one of the highlights of the retreat. We explored how personal stories, lived experiences, and our values shape our creative work and the way we communicate it. Derek challenged us to rethink how we tell our business stories - not as polished pitches, but as authentic narratives rooted in place, process, and purpose.

One of Derek’s key provocations stayed with us: that humans are naturally wired to find others who are like them - it’s how we form bonds, and this innate tendency should be central to how we tell our creative and business stories. He reminded us that in marketing, we’re often not selling a product, but an emotion - and understanding that can transform how we connect with our audiences.

Throughout the rest of the weekend, Derek’s insights continued to ripple through conversations. His reflections have since been shared in a separate blog post - well worth a read for anyone wanting to deepen their storytelling practice.

Dinner at the Farmyard Inn was more than just a meal - it was a chance to exhale. Over great food, we found ourselves opening up even more. The conversations drifted into some personal territory - our journeys, struggles, and what drives us to create. It felt like the beginning of something real: a network not just of professional peers, but of friends.

After a beautiful breakfast at Fountain View Bakery, we regrouped with Claire for a short reflection session. We were encouraged to look back at the previous day with curiosity and care - what had landed, what had shifted?

Then, with cameras and lens balls for creativity, we set off with photographer Steph Walsh for a nature walk through the local landscape. The highlight was a stop at All Saints Church, the second largest in the Peak District. Inside, we admired the breathtaking East Window — designed by Edward Burne-Jones and produced by William Morris’s factory, both of the Arts & Crafts movement.

Steph’s gentle guidance encouraged us to slow down and see the world differently - through the lens ball, through mindful observation, and through nature connection. Along the way, we spotted a Mandarin duck, cows on paths, murals by the Grouchy Grouter - a reminder of how art weaves its way into everyday community spaces. Charlotte’s breathwork made another appearance too, as we paused mid-walk for some grounding stretches and breathing techniques.

In the afternoon, we gathered in smaller groups for Ellen O’Hara’s action learning and peer coaching session. Ellen, a Derbyshire-based coach and cultural consultant, had spent the two days listening deeply to the group. Her session provided a safe and supportive space to voice challenges, ask big questions, and offer reflections.

We paired off to explore the dreams we hold for our creative businesses - and how we might move towards them. The conversations were honest and emotional. Many of us acknowledged the personal toll of running a creative business amidst global uncertainty, financial pressures, and personal life changes.

Ellen’s workshop reminded us of the power of listening, and the importance of being witnessed in our struggles and our hopes. Her invitation to “dream big” stayed with us, framed through a series of gentle but searching questions:

What signals of my ideal future are there in the present?

What might I nurture and grow this year?

What do I need to let go of to make space for my dreams?

What emerged was more than inspiration - it was the foundation of a business plan, rooted in personal values, lived experience, and what matters most to us. The collective wisdom in the room was a source of strength and a starting point for growth.

Mindful Exploration

Running parallel to Ellen’s session was a self-guided hour of mindful exploration. Some of us walked, others sketched or sat in silence. It offered a much-needed moment to absorb, rest, and just be - something we rarely allow ourselves to do in our fast-paced working lives.

As we came together one last time, there was a shared sense of gratitude and calm. We spoke about what we were taking away - from new techniques to new friendships - and how we could keep the creative momentum going.

“So much to think about and put into action. It gave us the opportunity to have some open and long overdue conversations.”

We’ve since set up a WhatsApp group to stay connected, plan future walks, and start dreaming about the next retreat.

“I keep mulling it all over and it was so good to feel we understood each other — would be great to keep our connections and conversations going.”

Final Reflections

The Creative Retreat wasn’t about learning how to hustle harder. It was about slowing down, listening in, and reconnecting - with ourselves, each other, and the land beneath our feet.

The weekend reminded us that taking time for self-care, storytelling, and creative nourishment is not a luxury - it’s essential. It’s in these spaces that ideas grow, collaborations spark, and resilience is rebuilt.

“I feel a shift in attitude this morning - but wow I slept well last night!”

To everyone who joined us: thank you for showing up with such openness. Here’s to more moments like these - and to building a creative community that sustains us all.