River of Self

Sunday 23 March
10-4:30pm
Old Lakenham, Norwich, by the river Yare

This experiential workshop draws on Internal Family Systems (IFS), ecotherapy, expressive arts and mindfulness and is led by an experienced IFS therapist Sebastiana Black

“Thank you for a gentle yet powerful experience led with such integrity and professionalism.” participant

“May what I do flow from me like a river, 
no forcing and no holding back,…
streaming through widening channels
 into the open sea.”
– Rainer Maria Rilke

You will meet your family of Parts (ways you function, think and feel) that show up in different areas of your lives. Through creative explorations and with the help of your compassionate Self, your True Nature, and the wisdom and nourishment of the natural world you will meet your inner world differently. These deepening connections will allow you to discover more about your Parts’ intentions, origins and what they need to heal and change.
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You will be invited to connect to the river Yare and the natural world unfolding into spring, tuning into their flow, guidance and beauty, finding inspiration, renewal and resources for your inner ecosystem. Supported by the ecosystems around you, your presence, wisdom and aliveness of the body and the group, you will uncover a greater sense of balance, wholeness and confidence.

The day will include:

• Introductions and landing
• Short introduction to Internal Family Systems model
• IFS and nature-based meditations
• Setting up a courageous and safe space for all parts to feel welcome
• Exploration of parts via writing, image making, movement and time with nature
• Embodying and inviting qualities of our True Nature/Self energy through movement, nature connection, song and poetry
• Time outdoors finding symbols and expression for your experiences
• Inviting a sense of interconnectedness with the natural world via senses and imagination
• Individual, small group and pair work
• Gratitude and appreciations

What to bring:

• All you parts
• Clothing you are comfortable to be in both indoors and outdoors
• Blanket for extra comfort
• Cushion to sit on. Chairs will be available too.
• Notebook and pen
• Bottle of water

Paper and pastels will be available for image making.
There will be teas and coffees available before the workshop starts to help you to settle in and throughout the day.

Who is it for:
Everyone is welcome. No previous experience of IFS or Ecotherapy is required.
Come if you are curious about deepening your relationship with your inner and outer nature and want to heal and grow.
Workshop is suitable both for people who are new and experienced in IFS and Ecotherapy.

“IFS groups offer an opportunity for participants to see their Parts as universally natural and part of being human. They foster insight and offer the feeling of community and the collective, felt experience of Self-energy.” Chris Burris.

​The group will be capped at 6 participants to create a safe, connected group.

Early bird before 22 February 2025: £70
Thereafter £80 or pay it forward- choose this amount to support those on lower income.
Payment in instalments is possible.

Finding Belonging

Saturday 10 May 2025, 10am-4:30pm
Foxtail Meadow
Bramfield, Suffolk

This experiential workshop draws on Internal Family Systems (IFS), ecotherapy, expressive arts and mindfulness and is led by an experienced IFS therapist Sebastiana Black.

“Thank you for a gentle yet powerful experience led with such integrity and professionalism.” participant

Through creative explorations and with the help of your compassionate Self and the wisdom and guidance of the natural world on the meadow you will meet your inner world differently. You will be able to befriend your family of Parts (ways you function, think and feel) that show up in different areas of your lives, overshadowing your sense of belonging. These habits and beliefs that protect you and the vulnerable parts that need to be heard will become a doorway to deepening your connection to your inner ecosystem, your body, your compassionate Self/your True Nature, others and the more-than-human world.
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As you enter into a reciprocal relationship with the natural world, honouring it as well as drawing inspiration and resources from its unfolding beauty in May , you will tap into your innate sense of belonging. You will discover more about your Parts’ intentions, origins and what they need to heal and change and experience more clarity. Supported by the ecosystems around you, your presence, wisdom and sensitivity of the body and the group, you will uncover a greater sense of balance, wholeness and confidence.

The day will include:

• Setting up a courageous and safe space for all parts to feel welcome
• Exploring your inner ecosystem using IFS map of parts
• IFS and nature-based meditations
• Exploration of parts via writing, image making, movement, nature connection and sharing
• Embodying and inviting qualities of True Nature through nature connection, movement, song and poetry
• Time outdoors finding symbols and expression for your experiences
• Inviting a sense of interconnectedness with the natural world via senses and imagination
• Individual, group and pair work
• Gratitude and appreciations

What to bring:

• Clothing you are comfortable to be in, including a bit of movement
• Layers if cooler day, waterproofs for rain, sun hat, sun screen
• Blanket for extra comfort
• Cushion to sit on. Chairs will be available too.
• Notebook and pen
• Bottle of water

Paper and pastels will be available for image making.
There will be teas and coffees available before the workshop starts to help you to settle in and throughout the day.

Who is it for:
Everyone is welcome. No previous experience of IFS or Ecotherapy is required.
Come if you are curious about deepening your relationship with your inner and outer nature and want to heal and grow.
Workshop is suitable both for people who are new and experienced in IFS and Ecotherapy.

“IFS groups offer an opportunity for participants to see their Parts as universally natural and part of being human. They foster insight and offer the feeling of community and the collective, felt experience of Self-energy.” Chris Burris.

Facilities: there are simple facilities on the meadow, including a cosy yurt and a compost loo. We will be spending time indoors and outdoors. Directions and what to bring will be provided after booking.

Spaces are limited. The group will be capped at 6 participants to create a safe, connected group.

Early bird before 20 April 2025: £65
Thereafter £75 or pay it forward- choose this amount to support our work on the meadow and those on lower income.
£55 – 1 spot in exchange for helping with refreshments​. THIS SPOT IS NOW GONE.

Write the Land

Saturday 15 June 2024
11am-4:30pm
Church Farm Meadow
Private Nature Reserve
Bramfield, Suffolk

At midsummer, close to the summer solstice and the turning point it represents, join us to mark this time of maximum light and expansiveness. It will be a chance to sink into land and nature connection, slow writing and community. Writing will help us to digest our experiences and distill precious insight.

Joanna Guthrie is a poet, writer and facilitator whose writing focuses on the other-than-human world. Her second poetry collection was published last year.

Rebecca Stonehill is a writer, creative writing teacher and activist. She has published three novels and a memoir and is the founder of Norwich Writers Rebel.

The day will include:

• An Invitation for slow writing to sink into land, nature and other-than-human connection
• Sharing of poetry and verses
• Guided meditation and contemplation
• Labyrinth walking
• Smaller group work
• An invitation to share writing in a small, supportive community

Contribution: £45, £35, £30 – choose what you can afford. Please consider paying the highest amount to support our work and those who can only afford the lower price. If this is too high for you and you would like to join us, please get in touch.

Enquiries and to book, click here to email: norwichwritersrebel@proton.me

Spaces are limited. Book early.

No previous writing experience is necessary.

Facilities: We will be on the nature reserve therefore facilities are very simple to minimise impact on the wildlife. We have a large yurt in case of showers but we will spend most of the time outdoors. There is a compost loo and water.

Travel: We encourage car sharing, use of public transport or bicycles.

Parking: Parking is available at Bramfield Village Hall for a small charge of £3 per vehicle. We have 4 spaces by the meadow for people with limited mobility.

Refreshments: Tea and biscuits provided. Please bring your own packed lunch.

Buses: The Charcoal Line 40, 41, X41 runs from Norwich to Halesworth once an hour. We can offer a lift from there. The workshop is timed to work around when buses arrive and leave Halesworth.

Address and directions will be provided after booking.

We look forward to welcoming you to the meadow.