Creativity, Climate and Connection: Climate Spring’s Regenerative Writers’ Retreat

Sometimes the most radical thing a writer can do is rest.

In July, Climate Spring hosted its first ever writers’ retreat, with 15 established and talented screenwriters from underrepresented backgrounds who have already created, or are on the way to create groundbreaking work that explore issues of race or inequality. The retreat provided space and guidance for the writers to connect these issues to climate, by looking at the extractive root causes and the regenerative solutions.

For most of the writers invited to the retreat, the simple offer of a retreat was so rare and treasured in an industry that can also sometimes feel extractive. Many of the writers had not identified with climate issues, and left the retreat feeling inspired by the deep connections with their beliefs, passions and creativity.

One writer said: “This retreat was immeasurably special. It's quite rare to be in a space that opens you up both creatively and emotionally - and does it in a way that doesn't put your wellbeing at risk. I had never really considered incorporating climate storytelling and regenerative practices into my work - in an organic way that made sense for the world I was building but also illuminated a different world is not only possible but already unfolding. And after the retreat, this is something I believe I will always incorporate in my storytelling from now on. And to know that there is support available for further research only furthers my interest in achieving this with every project in different ways”.

Designed to offer space both for personal renewal as well as professional growth, the retreat took place at West Lexham in Norfolk, a site powered by 90 percent renewable energy, complete with a natural swimming pool, a chalk-stream lake, vegetable gardens and plenty of wild beauty.

The idea for this retreat grew out of an understanding of the importance of creating regenerative spaces for writers from marginalised backgrounds, and in particular those, who are working on urgent and often emotionally demanding themes, such as climate, race and social justice. As for many in the UK diaspora from Global South communities, navigating systems that have extracted from them more heavily than others, has also meant a disconnect from the land and a necessary focus on aspiration as a survival strategy. So, alongside script development support, we feel it’s crucial to make space for restoration, healing, reflection and building community and connection - all to aid nurturing of their creative practice.

"I found the retreat galvanising personally and professionally. Climate can be an overwhelming conversation but being able to hold that conversation with engaged minds and for it to be positioned around how we can more effectively influence the direction we're all headed in made the work I'm doing feel meaningful again" - Vinay Patel.

Over the course of the retreat, we offered a mix of informative, creative and embodied sessions. We also hosted workshops on the interlinkages between the extractivist, patriarchal, colonising system, led by Felipe Viveros (Culture Hack Labs), as well as a talk with Dr Emma Lawrence (A Lead Policy Fellow for Climate Mental Health) exploring psychological impacts. We also held world building regenerative futures and decolonising character workshops. These were interwoven with somatic elements; like journaling, yoga, wild swimming, a sound bath and a scent based inner-outer climate and land connection workshop with Zoë Laureen Palmer.

Just as important was the time in between. Sharing meals, wild swimming, late-night fireside chats and time simply to be - all of it contributed to a sense of community and creative renewal.

We wanted to show experientially how our personal ecosystems are intertwined with the wider one. That caring for our bodies, minds and communities is part of the work of climate storytelling too. And so, what became clear was how needed this space was. Not just for writing itself, but for the kind of future we are all working toward. One that is equitable, interconnected and regenerative.

“The Climate Spring retreat feels like a turning point in my career. Being able to connect with other writers who share my convictions in a safe and deeply supportive environment felt extremely freeing…” - Siân Robins-Grace

At Climate Spring, we believe that rest, regeneration and community are essential ingredients for nurturing creativity and powerful storytelling. As we continue supporting writers who are imagining a more equitable and regenerative future, we’re committed to creating more spaces like this -  spaces that prioritise wellbeing, creative connection and collective resilience.

Click for a deeper insight into the retreat from Climate Spring’s Kiren Dhadwal.