We are delighted to offer this opportunity to full members of the College as part of the Rejuvenate. Thrive. Breathe. (RTB) Paramedic Wellness Programme.
Wellness Retreat in Ambleside
Date: Friday 9th - Monday 12th October 2026 (4 days/ 3 nights)
Location: Lake District National Park, Cumbria
Start time: 18:00
End time: 12:00 noon.
Cost: contribution of £50 per member with bursaries are available
Limited places of only 16
Join us in the beautiful, idyllic setting of the Lake District National Park for a four day wellness retreat, where you can expect to come away feeling relaxed and revitalised, and having made new connections and friendships.
The retreat is the perfect opportunity to take some time for yourself, to step out and away from the hustle, bustle, and demands of everyday life, or personal/ work difficulties that you might be facing, and to connect with like-minded people in one of the country’s most beautiful national parks. The peaceful surroundings are the perfect setting to experience the healing power of nature.
The professional team at Mind Over Mountains, our hosts for this event, have an exceptional understanding of the world of paramedic work and the difficulties this can sometimes bring, which is why we have partnered with them for a number of years. The team includes an experienced coach, counsellor, and qualified outdoor leaders, all of whom work together, to create a relaxed, friendly, safe atmosphere where there is opportunity to talk, reflect, and share without judgement, pressure, or expectations.
For this retreat, we will be staying at Old Brathay, a fantastic retreat in itself, set in its own estate amongst breath-taking scenery of rolling hills near to Lake Windermere. It truly is a special place for those looking to rest, relax and unwind.
Who this retreat is for:
Our retreat is for Full Members of the Royal College of Paramedics who feel that they would benefit from taking some time out in nature, away from the demands of life/ work, to have time to breathe, relax, and feel rejuvenated.
The retreats are safe, confidential spaces where there is no pressure or judgement. You’ll be with likeminded people but able to take time for yourself as well as connect with the group as we explore and enjoy the stunning surroundings.
Core components of the retreat:
• A safe and confidential space with time for relaxation, reflection and to recharge, away from the stresses of our hectic daily lives
• A minimum of two days of walking (which will be suitable for most levels of fitness and abilities) led by qualified mountain leaders. The aim of the walks are to appreciate the surroundings and are not a race.
• One-to-one counselling opportunities whilst walking
- A session with a qualified coach
• Mindfulness in nature sessions to release stress, anxiety and/or worry
• Small group environment.
Also included:
• 3 nights shared accommodation at Old Brathay, which will be solely for our use. Because we are a small group, the accommodation will be spacious. There is a modern, communal lounge and kitchen area as well as a BBQ area and the nearby River Brathay to relax besides.
• All meals, cooked fresh, on-site from a nutritious plant-based menu by our resident chef (3 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 3 dinners) (we will do our best to cater for food intolerances/ dietary requirements – please speak to the RCoP/ Mind Over Mountains team).
• Onsite parking - no facilities for electric vehicles.
• Wi-Fi is available in the main social areas.
Members will need to make their own transportation arrangements to and from the event location. The team at Mind Over Mountains can potentially facilitate pick-up from local train stations, if required.
Limited walking equipment (such as waterproofs) may be available to borrow – but you will need to discuss your requirements with the Mind Over Mountains team in advance of your attendance. If you’re on a low income, we recommend approaching Kitsquad; https://kitsquad.co.uk/ for clothing, boots, and equipment.
Cost and Bursary Places
As a charity, we are grateful to have received sponsorship from PG Mutual, meaning that we are able to heavily subsidise each place.
We ask for a contribution of £50 from members, payable when you book your place.
Fully funded bursary places are available so that everyone, regardless of the challenges they are facing, have the opportunity to experience the restorative tranquillity of the retreat and support from our approachable team. If you’re experiencing financial hardship, these bursaries are here for you. Please email us at [email protected] if you would like to confidentially explore this further.
For more information about Mind Over Mountains, please visit: Emergency responders and Mind Over Mountains
What have previous CoP attendees said about the retreats?
“The team, food and company were faultless”.
"[I enjoyed]...the group talks, the amazing food, the one-to-one opportunities... Most of all, the physical activity of the walks and beautiful, raw natural exposure of the environment and mountains. There is something very healing about being in nature”.
One of the best bits was “...being together with like minded people with the time and space to be allowed to ‘just be'".
“[It was] the reminder that I can achieve difficult things. The sense of achievement from reaching the top of the mountain was great. It has invigorated my enjoyment of nature and hiking and also pushing myself to do things even if they feel intimidating - but also to take in/ take the time to acknowledge the things/ experiences that are around me and can bring me calm and joy”.
“The staff were extremely respectful and kind, respected boundaries and allowed for as much or as little space as needed. The other participants were also fantastic”.
In signing up for this event, you provide your permission for the Royal College of Paramedics to pass your name and contact details to Mind Over Mountains so that they can contact you with further information about the retreat.
How to book
Members of the College of Paramedics
Please ensure you log into your membership at the top right of this page before registering to attend this event, click the 'proceed to checkout' button and complete the order to complete your booking. You will receive a confirmation email on receipt of your booking.
Email [email protected] if you need any additional support.
The College of Paramedics is committed to fulfilling the aims of our Belonging and Inclusion Strategy which includes the need to understand the diverse needs of our members. In order to ensure that we are supporting you through our events, health and wellbeing provision, CPD and representation, we need to know about you. Please do complete the 'equality' monitoring questions found on your profile page when you sign in to the College's website. Please also check your contact details including email address, telephone number, home address and bank details are all up to date and help us to help you (all information provided is kept in the strictest confidence in-line with current GDPR requirements).