Gathered around the dinner table at Rookhow. Photo: Courtesy of Sue Nicholls.
Can’t beat a retreat: Sue Nicholls on Rookhow
‘I feel calm coming to Rookhow.’
In 2021, thanks to an initial grant from the Quaker Mental Health Fund, the Rookhow charity in the Lake District set up a Retreat Away Fund, to help groups stay in its Bunkbarn. (As well as being a Meeting place for Quakers over the last 300 years, Rookhow’s Bunkbarn was converted from the original stables to provides simple and affordable accommodation for groups.) Three years on the scheme is thriving, with over 650 people from fifty groups having benefited, including: refugees; LGBTQ+ youth groups; people dealing with trauma and abuse; mental health support groups; drug and alcohol recovery groups; and organisations supporting families on low incomes.
Rookhow puts at least five per cent of its commercial income into the Retreat Away Fund, but it is primarily supported by three Area Meetings, with further donations from individual Quakers and fundraising events.
Several Local Meetings across the UK have chosen Rookhow as their monthly charity, and some guests choose to ‘pay it forward’ by making a donation on top of their booking, or letting us retain their booking or damages deposit.
Recently, two Quaker Meetings supported groups in their area to apply to the fund, and helped to provide costs towards food and transport.
‘I had a very good night’s rest, which I haven’t had in a long time.’
Sanctuary Cookalongs in Preston wrote, ‘We bring together women from minority and refugee communities in the city of Preston. They share their cooking skills and recipes, which helps them to get their bearings in a city new to them.
‘Quakers have kindly sponsored three nights at Rookhow for three Sanctuary Cookalong families to have a restful retreat in the school summer holidays. Staying at Rookhow gave them the opportunity to extend their experience into the rural landscape and over a longer period of time in each other’s company.
‘Coming from a war-torn country and experiencing trauma can have long-lasting effects, but having an opportunity to start a new life with new prospects in a new country has its challenges too. Thanks to Rookhow and Preston Quakers for enabling us to have a trip away from the stresses of everyday city life!’
Preston Quaker Meeting also welcomed the opportunity to support good interfaith relationships in the city.
A participant from a refugee group wrote, ‘I feel calm coming to Rookhow and meeting others. I had a very good night’s rest, which I haven’t had in a long time.’
Rookhow would be interested to hear from other Meetings who could partner with support groups in this way, and also from any individuals or Meetings who would like to contribute!
Sue is Rookhow’s development manager. See www.rookhow.org.uk for more info, or contact her at contactrookhow@gmail.com
