Funders Writing Retreat

We all know the systems of funding and philanthropy need to change. And we’ve met countless people innovating, designing and developing systemic practices. But we also know that writing these stories and learnings down is the part that gets deprioritised.

We invite you to come join us in a dedicated writing space for changemakers and practitioners who have been active in the funding and philanthropic space with an emerging story to tell who are struggling to make the space to develop and write it.

It might be a blog or article, a whole series of stories, or the beginnings of a book. Or, you might not know what the format is yet, but you have the intention to write and would love a dedicated space and support to do so and play with creative formats that might bring some of your experience to life. We will lightly host the space to support the writing process, which might include daily check-ins, as well as offer 1:1 or group coaching sessions where required, as well as peer accountability and support.

Louise and Anna invite you to join us in November 2025 for a 4-day/3-night writing retreat.

"I'm truly grateful for the environment that our facilitators and fellow participants nurtured, allowing all of us to truly be there for ourselves and for each other. This writing retreat provided the room I needed to grant myself the freedom to express my inner passion through writing. I’m not in a rush. I am going to take my time to nurture it." - Adah Parris, 2023 cohort

Who is this for:

• You might be in the thick of it right now and are looking for some space to reflect on what you’re doing and learning 
• You might be stepping into this space - wanting to really capture some of your assumptions and intentions before diving in 
• You might be on the cusp of transitioning out of this space - knowing you’ve reached the limits of what is possible in the current system 
• You might have been burnt out from your attempts to do this - but are now in a place to reflect back on the learning you’ve captured

Format

• A flexible schedule for you to make the time to write each day
• Daily group check-ins - an opportunity to shape and craft what we need
• Peer camaraderie and accountability 
• Time to scope out the ongoing infrastructure and practices to support ongoing writing and sharing

What's included

• A single occupancy room to stay in beautiful surroundings with shared bathrooms (small number of ensuite rooms)
• 1:1 coaching sessions to support you to craft your narrative & writing
• 1:1 systems change coaching and writing support  
• Peer support and mutual learning environment
• Large rooms for us to gather plus smaller writing spaces
• Food and nourishment 
• All cleaning

What's not included

• Travel to and from site
• Any snacks, additional foods and alcohol to be brought with you

When

Start time: Monday 3rd November 2025 at 16:00

End time: Friday 7th November 2025 at 11:00

Where

42 Acres, Holt Road, Witham Friary, Frome BA11 5HL

42 Acres is our venue located near Frome in Somerset, that invites people to reconnect with nature, self and others and offers spaces for coliving, events and retreats. It has 173 acres of flora and fauna, including the ancient woodlands, swimming lakes and meadows with lovely local walks  in the area. We’ll be using the Farmhouse venue. 

You can find more information about getting to the venue on the 42 Acres Getting Here page.

The School of System Change is continually working to improve the financial accessibility of our offerings. We offer three rates and ask that you select the one that fits your financial situation. It is our hope that those able to afford the higher fees help us cover costs and support others to access the discounted rates.

Each rate covers a single occupancy room and food costs for self-catered meals (prepared by teams of participants). If cost is a barrier, we ask you to reach out for the shared room pricing (max 2 per room), and we will try our best to pair you with someone else looking for shared occupancy, if not a friend you are joining with.

Full rate: £1950 GBP
For people working in larger organisations and who might be well-paid professionals. Your registration will help support others to participate.

Mid-rate: £1600 GBP
For people working in smaller organisations (fewer than 10 employees) and self-funded individuals.

Discounted rate: £1300 GBP
For individuals no longer working within the funding organisations. Only a few discounted rate slots are available.

For those who live in the area and are looking for a day writing retreat experience, we offer daytime only retreat fees. Please enquire for more information.

This is a starting collaboration between Louise Armstrong, Anna Birney and the School of System Change network. We’ve both been writing increasingly over the last few years individually and collectively. We’d love for this to become a shared endeavour with other people wanting the space to write and wanting to create the spaces for others to do the same.

If you have any questions, please get in touch with Anna at [email protected].

Interested in a future changemaking writer retreat? Express your interest and we'll be in touch by email to let you know when dates are announced.

If you have any questions, please get in touch with Anna at [email protected].

For a flavour of the experience and what to expect from the five days, we invite you to read some of the writings that emerged from the 2023 writing retreat.

Embracing Emergence: Reflections on Facilitating a Changemaker Writing Retreat by Louise Armstrong and Anna Birney

Rage Unleashed: Reflections from a Transformative Writing Retreat by Adah Parris

Celebrating a year of System Changers by Genevieve Nathwani

Writing change: On the liberation and joy of writing in community by Anna Rose Hughes

Reflections from the Mill by AC

More from 2024 forthcoming