SIÔN K

Rite to Freedom Volunteer and Participant since 2021

My name is Siôn and after many years of wrangling with my lack of off switch when it came to alcohol, I eventually decided to turn my back on my best friend Malbec. Through the support of a mutual aid 12-step organisation ending in the word anonymous, I got to grips with living life on life‘s terms and staying sober. Through my journey over the last seven years or so I have also confronted patterns of behaviour that echo around my life that no longer serve me and that I want to see transformed.

My first experience was in November 2021 at A new tribe retreat residential at High Heathercombe on Dartmoor. I recall waking up to snow on the outside of my bell tent! It was wonderful to be surrounded by people in a similar boat with life experiences that could understand one another and who were there for the same reason. Although it was cold, we still managed some outdoor ceremonial activities and time on the amazing Dartmoor landscape.

Rite to freedom has allowed me to stand back from my life, and take a look at what’s really going on. I have seen growth and transformation in areas of my life such as journalling, meditation and mindfulness, creative writing and poetry, and playing the guitar. I’m sure there’s more! It is quite an unusual and unique organisation and I feel sorry for people who either haven’t taken the leap of faith to jump in with what’s on offer, or maybe those who sadly aren’t in recovery! You can’t really describe what you get, as what one person will take away will be very different from the next person. As with many things in life, you’re very likely to get out of it what you put in. The more humble and vulnerable you bring yourself into the weekend, the more likely you are to get meaningful experiences from the work you do. And you’ll meet amazing human beings full of love, compassion, energy, vitality and humour. Jump in.

STEVE C

Rite to Freedom Volunteer and participant since 2018 
Sound and Music Design & Residential Facilitator

Photos: Steve C

Stolen winks

Unavoidable chorus

Peaceful pre-6 am

Most welcome solitude

The world still sleeps out here

Starling and pigeon seek breakfast

Mist pockets

Dissolving shadows

Unstoppable rise

Sneaky jackdaw

Buttercup safety in numbers

Pathway swallowed

Ancient trees

What is the question in my head?

Anticipation and excitement

Sunshiny weekend and sandcastles

Campervan explorations

Immersion in the beauty on offer

Work unfolding

Focus revealing itself

Transformation of creativity

Tune out of the chatter

Receive the real tweets

Behold the soundtrack of your life

Can you accept it?

Am I allowed such beauty?

Worthy and enough

We are all here together

Separate but connected

Siôn K – Written post residential. May 2023