I'm guessing that this theme will resonate with many of you as it does with me. We are having to cope with a climate that has become much more abrasive: and I'm referring not only to the weather, but to politics and plenty more. And it won't get better anytime soon.

     Taking care of ourselves is the best antidote – both individually, and in groups. So this blog is an exploration of what this could mean in practice. You may recall Maslow's famous hierarchy of needs, moving up from essential for survival to desirable for 'self-actualisation' (sic). I've invented the Heeks Hierarchy. Read more

Probably yes. And guess how well prepared we aren't. This issue is thoroughly explored in the new report from Professor Tim Lang. There are big systemic and policy issues which clearly need leadership from UK Government, who look unlikely to provide it.

     Despite that, there's plenty that can be done by local and regional groups, and some good role models to build on. My blog provides an overview and links to the report.     



This is a debrief on the Design Workshop which is a pivotal part of the Community Climate Resilience project being organised by the Network for Social Change: see project overview here. It was an exciting, intense, empowering event which added a lot of clarity and momentum to the project.

     This was a 48-hour residential workshop with ambitious aims. Raising the resilience and adaptation capacity of local communities in response to climate change and the many crises of our times is really urgent, but… there are probably tens of thousands of local community groups across the UK, and it's an undefined sector. Of these, a small minority are deeply engaged with the systemic disruptions we're facing, most are not. Read more

Alan writes:
I recommend this Guardian feature by Rowan Williams: he cites good evidence that the UK public want tangible benefits like sound public services and a healthy environment, not the economic growth which our Government is putting before everything else. See link here.

The Sufi Garden: Wed April 2, 7.30-9pm
This month's theme is Healing ourselves, healing our world:

In this evening through our usual mix of chant, dance and embodied spiritual practice we will invoke healing concentrations from the Sufi, Buddhist and Aramaic Christian traditions to help us find inner wholeness and to open ourselves as channels of healing for others and the world. Read more

Rising Tide: Forging a land-based practice in a time of collapse | March 26, 7-8.30pm

Join us for an evening with Charlotte Du Cann, co-director of The Dark Mountain Project, as she explores land-based practices for resilience in uncertain times. Timed with the Spring Equinox, this session will reflect on our connection to nature—its rhythms, creatures, and changing seasons—and how it can guide us forward. Further details and booking

The Aramaic Beatitudes: A Day of Sacred Song, Dance, and Meditation | March 19, 11am – 4.30pm

Based on the work of Neil Douglas-Klotz, this deeply enriching day includes meditations, reflections on the profound layers of meaning in the Aramaic words of Jesus, and Dances of Universal Peace where we will sing the Aramaic words and engage in embodied devotional movement. No experience needed. All are welcome. Further details and booking

Rising Tide: Beyond Good and Evil | April 16, 7-8.15pm

Life thrives on both competition and cooperation - but why do we often frame one as "good" and the other as "evil"? Join Liam Kavanagh, co-director of the Climate Majority Project, as he explores how these opposing forces shape everything from biology to politics. By understanding this dynamic, we can navigate today’s turbulent world with greater clarity, avoiding oversimplified narratives of good vs. bad. Further details and booking

The Meaning Harvest: leaning into possibilities | September 11-17

These are times of crisis and possibilities. This week in mid-Wales is an exploration for people aged 18-35 to reconnect with ourselves, each other, and our work to do on the Earth. It will be a time to combine spiritual enquiry with more practical questions, harvesting, celebrating, and sparking connections with peers who want to respond to this stormy world by leaning into mystery. 



Cost: £250-350 inc. food and accommodation



Limited to 16 people: enquire via this form