Connecting at Coed Hills by Trevor Eyles

Driving west toward Wales beneath a sky full of ominous portent, dumping oceans of dark rain as we struggled through motorway congestion.

I had picked up my colleague Nina from Denmark, at Gatwick airport, as we planned to share our experiences of working and engaging with voices at a Compassionate Mental Health retreat. I believe we were both carrying the usual collection of thoughts, concerns and expectations that most of us bring to unfamiliar places.

As we crossed the bridge and headed into Wales, the skies cleared. The roads gradually left behind the rhythms of motorway services, towns and traffic, giving way to soft countryside, stone walls, and fields washed in myriad shades of green. There was something calming about the journey itself after all, as if each bend in the road was gently preparing us for what lay ahead. Our destination was Coed Hills Rural Art Space, where we would spend the next three days. What I couldn’t have anticipated was the profound sense of connection I would experience there, both with the people and with the land.

From the moment our group gathered, it became clear that this retreat was not about fixing anyone, nor finding quick answers. It was more about creating safe spaces where people could be fully human.

We came from many different backgrounds, ages, professions and life experiences. Some had travelled long distances, whilst others lived nearby. Yet within this diversity lay a shared willingness to show up honestly.

Over the course of the next few days, we sat together in circles, walked through beautiful grounds, shared meals, and engaged in thoughtful conversations. The setting itself seemed to encourage reflection. The natural surroundings, creative spaces and workshops, and a slower pace offered a welcome contrast to the demands of everyday life.

What has stayed with me most was the courage of the people I met. One by one, individuals shared deeply personal stories – experiences of loss, recovery, uncertainty, resilience, hope, and change. There was no competition, no judgement, and no pressure to present a polished version of ourselves. Rather, there was a rare kind of (just) listening – ‘compassion pods’ – people speaking from the heart, whilst others received their words with kindness and respect.

As each story unfolded, I was reminded that each of us carries a rich and often unseen history. The diversity within the group was remarkable, not only in respect of our backgrounds, but also in the journeys that had brought us here. Despite our varied paths, common themes emerged: the need for connection, the importance of compassion, and the healing power of being truly heard.

There were moments of laughter and joy, especially during our final evening together when the space was given over to the  “community be-in” … musical performances, poetry readings, puppetry, dancing and even dog-tricks! There were moments of silence too, of mindful walking where words seemed unnecessary. Both felt equally valuable.

Through sharing our genuine experiences, we created something together that none of us could have created alone – a temporary community built on trust, openness and mutual care.

As the retreat neared its close, I found myself reluctant to leave: parting is such sweet sorrow, whilst it hurts to separate from people you feel connected to, the pain is tempered by the joyful anticipation of seeing them again.

Driving away from Coed Hills, I carried with me renewed appreciation for the strength and resilience that exists within ordinary people. The retreat had, perhaps, not erased life’s challenges, but offered, I hope, a powerful reminder that compassion – both for ourselves and for one another – can makes those challenges possible to navigate.

Three days in Wales had become far more than a retreat: it was an opportunity to witness the extraordinary depth, courage and humanity that emerges when a group of diverse people gather together and choose to share their stories openly. Those conversations and the people who shared them, will stay with me long after the journey home.

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Trevor Eyles is a psychiatric nurse and psychotherapist, originally from the UK and now based between Sussex and Denmark, where he has lived and worked for the past twenty-five years.

For over two decades Trevor has worked in social psychiatry, with a particular focus since 2003 on developing and delivering support for people who hear voices. More about Trevor here 

Trevor’s compassionate co-facilitator is Danish mental health advocate and hearing voices consultant, Nina Falkenlöve Lauridsen, who regularly shares car journeys and conference stages with him in Denmark and internationally. More about Nina here 

Save the dates for the next Coed Hills learning retreat : September 29 – October 03 2026

More details coming soon

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