Emerge Veterinary, a coaching project set up by Adrian Nelson-Pratt BVSc MRCVS to help veterinary professionals deal with personal challenges, has announced details of a new personal wellbeing retreat for veterinary surgeons, believed to the first of its kind for the profession.

The 2-day Change Catalyst Veterinary Retreat will take place at Roaches Hall on the Derbyshire/Staffordshire border from 15-17th May 2018, after which participants will receive three months of personal one-to-one coaching.

The organisers say that during the retreat, which is provided in partnership with Natural Change, participants will take part in a series of largely outdoor activities that draw on the potential of nature. They will also be introduced to some simple nature-based techniques to look after their wellbeing and to reflect on their personal or professional journey. Post-retreat personal coaching is included to help reinforce and embed these changes or assist in developing the insights gained during the retreat. 

The retreat is aimed at veterinary surgeons who are at a career crossroads, making major decisions about the direction of their career or for those looking for an opportunity to help develop capacity, build resilience and to improve wellbeing. The organisers say it offers time and space to get away from everyday concerns, re-energise and focus on what really matters as well as helping vets reflect, refresh and reconnect with nature.

The retreat is open to a maximum of 16 participants who will work with two facilitators. The follow up coaching is one to one, personal, and confidential.

Director, Adrian Nelson-Pratt said: "Vets have well documented challenges with work-life balance that lead to a disconnection from the natural world. Feelings of isolation, loss of career direction or in the worst-case, deterioration in physical and mental health can follow.

"Having experienced the Natural Change process myself, I found it a deeply reflective and restorative experience. It allowed me the time and space to develop some new ideas and to re-invigorate myself.

"The Change Catalyst Vet Retreat is the result of this process for me and I think it’s a powerful tool to support vets on a personal and professional level. It’s also an appropriate contribution to your annual CPD requirement."

Tickets cost £1500 and are available at https://www.emerge-veterinary.com/join-us/the-change-catalyst/ or for more information contact: adrian@emerge-veterinary.com

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