Join WE CREATE SPACE, UNLOCK and QUEER RETREATS for a 4-day retreat outside BARCELONA with DR. PAUL TAYLOR-PITT.

Creative expression offers LGBTQ+ people a powerful pathway to wellness by reclaiming narrative autonomy in a world that often misrepresents our stories. When we shape our experiences into narratives, we integrate fragmented aspects of identity, reclaim agency over our stories and honour the imaginative potential that buzzes and beckons within us. 

And for many LGBTQ+ people, our creative practice is precisely how we remain connected to the embodied magic of our human experience, in a world in which it can feel unsafe to be fully present. At Shaping Our Stories, you'll discover how storytelling is a sustainable source of clarity, embodiment and fulfilment, and you'll gain practical tools for expressing your unique voice in a supportive and vibrant community space.

• Daily yoga, movement and meditation
• Guided nature and forest bathing to awaken the senses
• Bespoke workshops to unlock your creativity 
• Protected time and space to write
• Evening salons to share your work in an encouraging space
• Breakfast, lunch and dinner, with ingredients we sustainably source from producers in the region
• Time to rest and relax, including use of the pool and sauna
• On-site support from our team
• One-to-one coaching session with our lead facilitator
• Membership to WCS | Campus
• Pick-up and drop-off from Sants Estació to our retreat home, Casa de Colors

Nestled in the stunning Catalan countryside and surrounded by majestic vineyards and mountains, our charming 16th-century masía is a relaxing escape just 50 minutes away from the vibrant city of Barcelona. Its serene environment, modern comforts and beautiful natural backdrops provide the perfect retreat setting.

Our stories have always been our strength. When mainstream narratives exclude or distort our experiences, LGBTQ+ people create our own, passing down wisdom through literature, preserving history in community archives and crafting characters that reflect our full humanity. Yet many of us struggle to claim our voices fully. We’ve heard that our stories are too niche, too political or not universal enough. We second-guess our creative instincts or abandon projects, unsure if our perspectives truly matter. They do matter—and not only as evidence of our being.

At Shaping Our Stories, writing sessions and movement practices ground your creativity in embodied experience, breath work expands your imaginative capacity and reflective practices deepen your connection to your unique voice. By the retreat's end, you'll have tangible creative work to continue developing, practical tools for sustained creative practice and a community of LGBTQ+ writers who understand how our stories contribute to both personal wellness and collective empowerment.

Day 1 – Look Back: Reflect on your past, your relationship with writing and self-expression, and set your intentions

Day 2 – Look Around: Explore your role as a queer writer in the world today

Day 3 – Look Inward: Dive deep with somatic experiences and storytelling techniques

Day 4 – Look Forward: How will you shape the future through your writing?

Evening Salons: Enjoy salon suppers and share your work in a nurturing environment.

Plan Your Next Steps: Leave with a clear plan and a strong network of peers to continue your journey.

Traditional creative writing workshops often separate craft from wellness, treating writing as purely technical or exclusively therapeutic. For marginalised communities, the relationship between our creative expression and our wellness is reciprocal and regenerative: access to creative flow states supports our embodied wellness, which in turn supports our creative expression.

• Practical focus: Advance your ongoing projects, whether it’s a memoir, novel, play, professional paper or TED Talk.
• Thematic exploration: Journey through themes from the past, present and future with fellow LGBTQ+ creatives.
• Community and Safety: Experience the power of being with a like-minded community, celebrating each other’s stories and supporting one another.

You'll leave Shape Our Stories with a deeper understanding of how your creative expression serves both personal wellness and contributes to the vital cultural work of LGBTQ+ storytelling.

Our experienced team will guide you through your retreat journey:

Dr. Paul (he/him), Facilitator

Paul’s career began in the 1990s as a care worker in a residential home for people with HIV-related brain impairment and volunteering for the Terrence Higgins Trust. Since then, his work has spanned roles in the public, voluntary and private sectors where he developed his specialism in people and organisational development. Paul launched his consulting practice in 2022 where he partners with individuals and organisations in support of authentic growth, drawing on his three decades of professional expertise in navigating change. Paul is a facilitator, mentor, coach and writer. He belongs to the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development, the Society of Authors and is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts. You can find out more about him, including his published work, at www.drpaultaylorpitt.com 

Jano San (he/him), Co-Facilitator

Jano has been practicing yoga from an early age, training in India as a teacher specializing in Hatha, supported by Asthanga Vinyasa. He  approaches  yoga as a holistic discipline, beyond the asanas. 

Veronique Charlotte (she/her), Chef 

Veronique seamlessly blends her expertise with her passion for design, offering a unique combination of culinary artistry and design sensibility, ensuring every experience is both visually stunning and gastronomically unforgettable.

Michael Stephens (he/they), Host

Michael is a community builder and connector. His mission is to create spaces that allow and encourage people to forge meaningful relationships to their work, themselves, and each other.

Mealtimes will be a time to come together, connect as a group, and nourish our bodies. We'll be serving three healthy, delicious 'flexitarian' meals each day; incorporating a wide selection of locally sourced ingredients.

We've arranged group transport to and from the retreat centre. Please aim to get to the pick-up point in Barcelona City Centre at least 15 - 30 minutes before the scheduled departure so we can leave on time. If you plan to make your own way there or back, please let us know in advance so we can share details of the retreat location. 

BCN PICK UP:

Thursday 26 June @ 12:00am

Exact Location tbc (Barcelona City Centre)

BCN DROP OFF:

Sunday 29 June @ 12pm

Exact Location tbc (Barcelona City Centre)

Please note that any other transport is not included. If you're flying into Barcelona, we recommend arriving the day before, or that you arrive into Barcelona as early as you can on the day. If you miss our transport, you'll have to arrange your own transport to the retreat venue. 

WHAT TO BRING:

• Comfortable attire for yoga, workshops, and outdoor activities
• Personal toiletries (e.g., sun cream, insect repellent)
• Personal wellness items (e.g., water bottle)
• Sunglasses and a hand-fan in summer
• Casual clothing for group meals and free time
• Swimwear if you plan to use the pool and sauna
• A pair of trainers or walking shoes for hikes
• A sweater for the evening as it can get cold
• An open mind and readiness to connect

LUGGAGE:

Please try not to travel with large suitcases. We have limited storage space in the private bus and at the masía. 

PHONES & INTERNET:

Phone reception and wifi available but please do not expect to be online much or sending or receiving files.

BUGS:

We do have mosquitos sometimes so bring insect repellent with you. 

SHEETS AND TOWELS:

Your rooms all have sheets, towels and blankets. There are also pool towels provided, however, they should not be removed from the property and should be used more than once. Sarongs are highly recommended for use by the pool, at the beach and on excursions. 

MONEY:

There are no ATM machines in the village so please bring a bit of cash with you if you want to buy something during an excursion or activity.

SECURITY:

There is a master safe in the house, where you can lock away your passports, money and valuables, which you will not need during your stay. All the bedroom also have locks. We recommend not travelling with unnecessary items of value, such as jewellery, watches, excess currency and laptops / tablets.

We will not take responsibility for any lost or stolen items. 

MEDICAL:

Please ensure you have travel insurance and/or medical emergency cover. We have a small first-aid kit but we recommend you bring the ‘usual’ medicines such as paracetamol, band aids, etc. Please inform us if you have any allergic reactions to food or insect bites. If you do, please bring an antihistamine or any other medication you may need. 

LAUNDRY:

We do not provide laundry services.

YOGA EQUIPMENT: 

We provide yoga mats, cushions and blankets but no blocks, straps or bolsters.

We are deeply committed to fostering an inclusive, safe and non-sexualised environment for everyone. Our space is designed to promote mutual respect. Any form of harassment or discrimination is strictly unwelcome, and we reserve the right to ask anyone who does not adhere to these values to leave.

• Full Refund: Available for cancellations made at least 90 days prior to the retreat start date.
• Partial Refund: A 50% refund is provided for cancellations made at least 45 days before the retreat.
• No Refund: Cancellations made within 45 days of the retreat start date are non-refundable.

Please review our full cancellation terms during the booking process.

Who is this retreat for? This retreat is ideal for LGBTQ+ community members who are ready for an immersive experience in personal growth, wellbeing and community connection.

What if I need to cancel? Please see our cancellation policy above for details.

Do I need any prior experience to come to a retreat? No, there is no prior experience needed to participate in our retreats.

How do I get to the retreat venue? We'll pick you up in Barcelona city, or if you drive we’ll let you know how to get there.

If I drive, can I park? Yes, there are parking slots. Also, let us know if you are open to car-sharing with other guests.

Will I be sharing my room with someone? Unless you book a private single occupancy room, yes. You’ll be sharing with other participants. But bedrooms are big, comfortable, and each has a private bathroom.

What is the bathroom situation? There are private bathrooms inside each bedroom, as well as a few others in various parts of the house.

Can I choose who I share my room with? If you choose a private 'twin' or 'double' room you can book for yourself and either your partner or friend. If you choose a shared 'dorm' or 'twin' you'll be allocated a room with another guest. If you'd prefer to share with someone of a specific gender we will do our best to accommodate to make things as comfortable as possible.

Can I bring my pet? We’re animal lovers, but no pets are to be brought to the retreat centre, please.

Will there be alcohol? We might share a glass of natural wine during dinner, but other than this, do not expect alcohol to be around.

What if I have food intolerances or allergies? No problem. We'll ask you about all this as part of the booking process.

Do you offer any subsidies? We want to make our retreats accessible to people who feel a strong call to do the process, and whose financial situation currently prevents them from paying full price. Each request for financial assistance is assessed in terms of the specific need and availability. If this applies to you, please reach out to us at [email protected], and we will gladly explore the options available.

How is the payment processed? To secure your spot, a 50% deposit of the total amount is required at the time of booking, with the remaining balance due at least one month before the retreat begins.

If you have questions that are not answered here, please do get in touch, and we'll be happy to speak with you: [email protected]