I organised a one-day weekend workshop for a group of ten women to test the material I developed for my Innovate UK award 'Easing the Effects of Menopause'. The venue was intentionally selected to be a serene natural setting rather than a corporate environment, aiming to promote relaxation, inspiration, and alternative thinking.
This approach presented a unique twist on traditional self-care activities for women. Typically, self-care might involve a day at the spa, a yoga retreat, or other relaxing activities. My workshop, however, posed a different vibe - one of intellectual engagement combined with personal growth. This made it an excellent test to see how much value participants would place on this type of experience.
The day was structured as a blend of learning, sharing, and discussion, allowing me to assess the effectiveness of various content elements and gather feedback on what participants would like more or less of. It also provided an opportunity to explore how comfortable the women felt discussing personal aspects of their lives and what impact this could have in the work environment.
What transpired during the workshop was moving. Despite the focus on thinking and talking - activities not typically associated with relaxation - the women created a supportive, curious, and compassionate environment. They engaged deeply with the material and with each other, demonstrating the power of bringing women together in this type of setting.
The outcomes were encouraging. All women left feeling relaxed and inspired, interested to learn more. This suggests that while this wasn't the kind of activity women might typically invest in for self-care, it held significant value for them.
Overall, the feedback was excellent, highlights included:
The venue felt suited to the conversation and created ease and relaxation
Good opportunity to discuss and share their experiences
Appreciated receiving relevant information that empowered them to make decisions supporting their mental and physical well-being
Having material to take away and continue working with
A holistic approach to addressing whole-person issues
This experience demonstrated that when given the opportunity, women are eager to engage in activities that combine intellectual stimulation with personal growth. It showed that self-care can take many forms and that sometimes, the most rewarding experiences are those that challenge us to think differently about ourselves and our lives. The success of this workshop underscores the value of creating spaces where women can come together to learn, share, and support each other. It suggests that there's a real appetite for this type of engagement and that women are willing to invest their time and energy in experiences that offer meaningful personal development opportunities.
As I take this work forward, these insights will be invaluable in shaping future workshops and programs. They highlight the importance of creating environments that foster open discussion, provide practical tools for personal growth, and recognise the holistic nature of women's well-being.
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