A Seasonal Community Retreat

Date: 20 September 2025
Co-Facilitated by: regrow, Luna Tribe & artist Megumi Barrington
Funding: Subsidized by VAO Communities Mental Health & Wellbeing Fund
Locations: Shapinsay Church & the Shapinsay Reflective Space

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Overview

On September 20, 2025, Regrow and Luna Tribe, together with artist Megumi Barrington, co-hosted Harvest the Light Within, a seasonal community retreat on the island of Shapinsay. Rooted in values of accessibility, creativity, connection, and wholebeing, the retreat brought women from across Orkney together in a safe and nurturing environment.

Set within the historic Shapinsay Church and the island’s newly developed Reflective Space, the retreat invited participants to pause, soften, and reconnect with the “light within”, a metaphor for inner strength, clarity, and personal transformation at the turn of the season.

Funded by the VAO Communities Mental Health & Wellbeing Fund, the retreat was designed to ensure that financial cost and transport (provided by Shapinsay Development Trust) were never barriers to participation.

“Everything from the ferry journey to the warm welcome felt nourishing and supportive. Sharing with others is powerful and helps the soul feel connected and seen in this otherwise frenetic life.”

Objectives

The retreat aimed to:

  • Provide an accessible, safe, and supportive environment for women to reconnect with themselves and each other
  • Weave together breathwork, movement, sound, meditation, and creative expression as tools for healing and personal growth
  • Strengthen collective wellbeing through shared meals, reflection, and the tranquility of Shapinsay
  • Model a replicable retreat framework suitable for remote island communities

Attendance

  • 16 women aged 16–60
  • Waiting list of 4, including one male participant, demonstrating demand beyond women-only spaces

The diversity in age and background contributed to the richness of the retreat experience.

"The breathing techniques were powerful, the space in Shapinsay was beautiful; it was a magical day. I attended with my daughter, and it was so lovely to be together through such an uplifting experience.”

Retreat Flow & Activities

The half-day retreat followed a gentle, intentionally designed arc of grounding, opening, creativity, and integration.

Opening Circle & Intention Setting

Creating a supportive, open, and welcoming environment.

Movement & Breathwork Journey

  • Gentle somatic warm-up
  • Guided Conscious Connected Breathwork
  • Live sound bath with seasonal themes of harvest and renewal

Nourishing Lunch

Homemade, vegan-friendly meal including stew, salads, fresh juices, bread, and naturally sweetened treats, created with care to support comfort and connection.

Meditation & Grounding

A quiet reflective practice to integrate the breathwork experience and prepare the mind for creativity.

Creative Integration Workshop

A mandala-making session led by Megumi Barrington, offering participants a gentle, expressive way to translate inner experience into form.

Closing Circle

Optional reflections, chanting, and a soft transition back into everyday life.

Thoughtful Takeaways

Each participant received a hand-illustrated postcard by Megumi and a small locally-sourced gift to carry the experience into the season ahead.

“Just having time to be still and do ‘nothing’ was a gift. The gentle, feminine energy of the day was an unexpected blessing.”

Accessible by Design

Our retreats are intentionally created to be welcoming and accessible. Through our collaborations, partnerships and support from the VAO Communities Mental Health & Wellbeing Fund and local donors we were able to:

  • offer low-cost, inclusive pricing
  • provide free car transportation via the Shapinsay Development Trust
  • offer free bike rentals through the Island Wellbeing Project
  • supply all creative materials, food, and retreat resources
  • create an atmosphere of warmth, support, and care for all attendees

Accessibility continues to be a central design principle of Regrow’s retreat model; ensuring that effective wellbeing experiences remain open to all who feel called to attend.