Room to breathe

4 Walks in 4 Seasons
Days to stretch your legs, your mind and your heart

– Time to think
– An environment free from everyday demands
– A group of understanding people willing to talk

Room to Breathe is a group that meets in the Dales 4 times a year – Winter, Spring, Summer and Autumn – to walk, think and talk over a day. The day is structured to help you find areas you need to focus on, decisions you need to make, problems you need to resolve, and then have the space to explore them. There is time for informal talking as we walk, as well as structured space for talking and thinking as a group.

We use the open air – to relax bodies, expand minds, remove everyday demands.
We use members – who understand the pressures and dilemmas you face, who can add different perspectives, who can generate new ideas.
We use the group – to provide understanding, support and challenge.
We use skilled facilitators – to ensure you focus on things that will make a difference.

Reflections by group members

Here some reflections written by people who have attended these groups:
Somewhere in the middle (2020)
Walking and talking – a reverie (2017)
Dilemma (2008)

There’s even a reflection on the experience of meeting virtually during the Covid-19 Pandemic:
Room to Breathe 04.2020

COVID-19 and Room to Breathe

We are back and meeting again, content that the risks of infection are extremely low, meeting as we do in the open air.

Dates in the coming year

You are welcome to join us for one day or sign up for four – one year’s cycle – for the price of three.
The dates the group will meet in the next year are all on Saturdays from 9.30 am to 4.00 pm:

Winter: 13 January 2024
Spring: 9 March 2024
Summer: 22 June 2024
Autumn: 28 September 2024

The cost is £49 per day or £147 if you book 4 days.

NHS, State Education or other Public Sector workers:

You pay the reduced cost of £20 per day or £60 if you book 4 days.

The group is facilitated by Chris Powell, a group analyst, and Andrew Wilson, a GP. Chris and Andrew have led successful walking groups together for professional development and personal support since 2006.

For more details email Chris Powell ().

In 2024 the group is walking near Grassington

You can book a place by downloading this form and returning it to Chris Powell.

Download a poster about the group to circulate here:
Room to breathe Flyer 2024

There are more details and joining instructions for the walk here, but make sure you book in advance if you want to join us:
Joining Instructions 2024