Reflections from the PARTICIPATE Writing Retreat at Bagden Hall

In January 2026, members of the PARTICIPATE Research Cluster gathered at the beautiful Bagden Hall in Denby Dale for a three‑day residential writing retreat – a much‑needed chance to step away from emails, timetables, and the usual everyday chaos and instead sink into uninterrupted writing, thinking, conversation, and near-constant rain outside. The retreat built on PARTICIPATE’s mission to foster collaborative, interdisciplinary, people‑centred research.

With eight places available, the retreat brought together a wonderfully varied group of researchers and practitioners – each with one or more writing projects and a clear intention for how they wanted to use the time. From grant proposals to PhD chapters, from creative practice reflections to book manuscripts, the projects represented the full breadth of PARTICIPATE’s interests, spanning sustainable fashion and climate justice to design, energy access, neurodiversity, and creative methodologies. Millie the dog guarded the room and ensured that she had a steady supply of cuddles.

We kicked off on Monday morning with coffee, introductions, and a gentle easing‑in to the writing groove. Anne set the tone early with thoughts on facilitation and preparing for writing. We also planned a walk – something that felt very in keeping with Bagden Hall’s quiet grounds and the cluster’s emphasis on reflective, people‑centred practice. Throughout the retreat, participants generously exchanged encouragement, feedback, and (much‑needed) reminders to stretch, breathe, and look away from screens.

The range of projects was inspiring. Anne mapped out a design thinking framework for an energy transition funding bid and worked on a book chapter. Marc worked on the first drafty bits of a Horizon Europe application. Lizzie used the time to push forward her practice‑based PhD, appreciating the inclusive academic environment and the chance to focus without the usual juggling. Mary dedicated her days to shaping the final elements of her book proposal, while Jen used the retreat to re‑immerse herself in her PhD after some time away, reconnecting the many strands of her creative research.

Joanna and Liz worked jointly on their beautifully conceptual project exploring embodied film practices and tidal metaphors. The rain helped set the context. Annie re‑engaged with her PhD reading and writing in a way daily life rarely allows. And Harriet, drawing on her background in sustainable fashion, used the retreat to advance her research into textile waste and circular design.

On the Tuesday morning some of the earlier birds managed to fit in some wild swimming, finding themselves rather lucky with the weather and the views.

What made the retreat so special wasn’t just the progress everyone made – though that was impressive – but the atmosphere of generousity, focus, and shared purpose. Participants offered feedback, facilitated structured writing blocks, led reflective activities, and brought humour and warmth into the room. There was a sense of genuine community, echoing PARTICIPATE’s ethos of empathy and support for emerging and established researchers alike.

One of the unexpected highlights of the retreat was our afternoon group walk on the second day, which took us across gloriously muddy fields and along some truly lovely footpaths. What started as a quick stretch of the legs turned into a proper little adventure – sidestepping puddles, laughing at the creative acrobatics involved in keeping boots (mostly) dry, and soaking up the fresh January air. We were also joined by Millie, the cute little black poodle, who trotted along happily and somehow managed to stay cleaner than any of us. Millie took her self-appointed role as morale booster very seriously, darting between walkers, demanding the occasional fuss, and generally keeping spirits high. By the time we looped back to Bagden Hall, we were muddy, rosy‑cheeked, and far more energised than we expected. It was exactly the reset we needed before settling in for another focused writing session.

By Wednesday afternoon, everyone left a little tired, definitely caffeinated, and most importantly, proud of what they had achieved. Whether it was a stronger funding bid, a clearer chapter structure, a refined conceptual framework, or simply renewed confidence, the retreat delivered exactly what it promised: time, space, and support to write.

Here’s to the next one!