Hucklow Summer School 2026

The In-Person Event is Now SOLD OUT

Online Places Still Available

Doing Our Best?

‘Do the best you can until you know better. Then when you know better, do better.’― Maya Angelou

In aspiring to live well and make a positive impact on the world around us, we often find ourselves caught between the desire to hold ourselves to the highest standards, and do our very best, and the need to accept our human limitations, and our propensity (both as individuals and communities) to screw up and fall short. In 2026, through daily talks and in-depth engagement groups, we will explore various aspects of this dilemma and the ways in which it plays out in our inner lives, personal relationships, church communities, and social action. How can we rise to the challenges we face in the 21^st century, respond faithfully to the needs of a rapidly changing world, and courageously meet the call to learn, grow, and do better – without falling into self-recrimination at our own shortcomings? How might we move beyond ‘good intentions’ and pay closer attention to the impact that our action (and inaction) has on others? How can we gently hold ourselves and each other to account in a compassionate way which aligns with our core values? How might we dream a new world into being while being pragmatic about our individual and collective capacity? Join us at Hucklow Summer School 2026 to consider all these questions and more together.

Engagement Groups:

Online via Zoom

Group D: ONLINE: ‘How Do We Change the Things we Can and Accept Those We Cannot?’

With Lizzie Kingston-Harrison and Jennifer Sanders

How do we discern a way to live with ourselves, as we really are and live out our own way in the world? In this online group Lizzie and Jennifer invite you into the space of the ‘examined life’, to explore parts of ourselves using the gentle grace of self-acceptance. We may find things we are uncomfortable with, along with those we hold dear and can celebrate - and even our deepest shadows are places where light can lead us into growth. This warm, and accepting group will use music, poetry, creative time, meditation, self-reflection and group sharing to help you find a comfortable balance between change and acceptance.

Group E: ONLINE: Compassion & Connection: Being with Self, Others and the Spirit of Life

With Kate Dean and Kieren Mardle-Moss

'Those who do the most growing in this life are those who offer the most compassion to the parts of themselves that have not yet grown.' – Andrea Gibson

In a world that calls us to 'do our best,' how do we hold ourselves with kindness while still growing into the people we long to be? In this online engagement group we'll explore the interplay between self-compassion and having accountability within each of the communities that we're involved with. Together, we will reflect on how making personal covenants and group agreements can guide us into right relationship with others. Through reflection, small group sharing and simple creative exercises we will explore: what supports us when life feels uncertain; how do we stay in a healthy relationship with others; and how our choices connect us with something larger than ourselves. Throughout the week, you will be guided in shaping a personal 'credo' or affirmation that supports your daily life. We’ll also experiment with easy online tools to gather our shared insights and learn from one another.

NOTES

Angela Maher will be our Coordinator and the primary contact person for queries during the week in Hucklow. Nick Morrice will be our musical director. Rev. Sheena Gabriel will be providing pastoral care and staff support as Minister for the Week. Theme speakers are to be confirmed and will be announced in February 2026.The application system will open in early February. Applications are due by 10th April 2026 and places will be allocated soon after this date. If there are still places available after this date then the application system will re-open at the end of May. A deposit of £100 is required for residential participants. Full payment of £90 is required for online participants. The balance will be due on 26th June 2025.

Prices and Application Process

Adult (Standard Rate – Residential): £744

Adult (Supporter Rate – Residential): £794

Adult (Champion Rate – Residential): £844

Children 12-16: £435

Children 5-11: £370

Children under 5: £165

Adult (Online Programme): £100

Please Note: We aim to break even and do not typically make any profit out of summer school. £644 of the standard rate is the cost of a week’s full-board accommodation at the Nightingale Centre in a shared twin room (a significant increase from last year’s rate).The staff team do not receive any payment for their work but their accommodation and expenses are covered.Hucklow Summer School is generously subsidised by the General Assembly of Unitarian and Free Christian Churches, Kensington Unitarians, and several individual Friends of Summer School (we have introduced ‘supporter’ and ‘champion’ rates this year in case anyone is in a position to help subsidise the 2026 event). The true cost of each place at summer school, without this subsidy, would be over £1000 per person.

Rooms at Summer School are mostly shared. Availability of single rooms is very limited and so these places will be carefully allocated on the basis of need for people with special circumstances. If you have particular medical or other reasons why a single room is essential then you must inform the panel of your circumstances at the time of application so that we can take this into account. A supplement of £50 will be payable for places in single rooms or shared-en-suite rooms (£100 supplement for a single en-suite room). We cannot guarantee your room preference but will notify you of room allocation when places are confirmed in early May.

The panel aims to attract approximately one third newcomers to participate in Summer School every year. We have set a deadline of Friday 10th April 2026 for receipt of applications. Shortly after this date places will be allocated by the members of the panel (subject to the constraints of available accommodation). In the case of Summer School being oversubscribed, our criteria for allocating places will include giving priority to ministers, ministerial students, and those who intend to use summer school to equip them for the benefit of their congregation or the wider movement. If your application is unsuccessful we will refund your deposit at a later date. Deposits will only be refunded if you are not offered a place. If you need to drop out after you have been allocated a place neither the deposit nor the full balance is refundable. Please consider appropriate insurance in case of this eventuality.

Please do let us know if you have any particular skills or abilities that you would like to share during the week (e.g. music, dancing, art and craft ideas, worship, meditation, leading a one-off religious education workshop, etc.) by giving some details at the time of application. Members of the panel will contact potential session leaders in late May, after Summer School places have been allocated, to finalise the timetable.

Applications are due by Friday 10th April 2026. A deposit of £100 is required for residential participants. Full payment of £100 is required for online participants. The balance will be due on 26th June 2026.

Bursaries: Please do not let a shortage of money prevent you from attending! Some Summer School bursaries are available to help with the cost. We encourage you to seek support from congregations and districts and we may be able to put you in touch with other potential funding sources. Please contact us as soon as possible if you are likely to need assistance with funding. Donations to the Summer School Bursary Fund are always very welcome!