Connect with Nature Autumn Retreat

A Creative Retreat-in-a-day

Fancy a day responding creatively to nature? Then why not join us - artist Liz Waddell and writer Alison Mott - at the beautiful Ulverscroft Manor Activity Centre on Saturday 13^th September 2025 as we think about and explore the glory of nature in the Autumn. 

Our activities:

A short (optional) walk through the woods around the Activity Centre will be followed by time inside, painting, drawing or collaging, and writing creatively.

Our activities are suitable for people of all levels of skills and ability and art and writing materials will be provided, though experienced creators are welcome to bring their own.

We'll round off the day with a short reflective meditation before returning to the everyday world.

Refreshments and Lunch

Tea, coffee, water and juices will be available throughout the day.

Note: we're NOT ABLE to provide lunch on the retreat and there's nowhere on site to buy any. You will therefore NEED TO BRING A PACKED LUNCH with you.

Venue:

The Ulverscroft Manor Activity Centre is a large modern building set in beautiful tranquil woodland. There's plenty of parking to the front and access to inside is via stairs or ramp.

The centre is a comfortable space, all on one level for easy accessibility, and with toilets for ladies, gents, and disabled visitors.

To find us turn into the Ulverscroft Manor site from Priory Road, Markfield; the Activity Centre is located on the left as you travel down the drive.

About the facilitators:

Liz Waddell is an award-winning freelance artist and illustrator with a degree in Fine and Applied Art from the University of Ulster, Belfast. With a lifelong passion for wildflowers, trees and animals, Liz’s nature-themed visual art is vibrant with glorious colour. She leads monthly nature-inspired art sessions for her local community eco hub and works alongside Wild Things Keyworth to promote knowledge of Britain’s wildlife and encourage people to look after it.

Alison Mott is a writer, community arts practitioner and storyteller who supports people of all ages and experience to write the stories they want to tell. She leads story-sharing activities in community settings, online writing activities for the Royal Voluntary Service’s Virtual Village Hall and teaches a creative writing night class at Loughborough University.

Liz and Alison have known and worked together for many years. In 2018, they co-created the picture book ‘Songster, Loughborough’s Own War Horse’ for the Carillon Museum and in Autumn 2024, ran art and writing activities with communities across Charnwood for the My Jewellery, My Story project, collecting stories and artwork for an exhibition held at Charnwood Museum until June 2025.