Why YOU, why NOW?
In a world that that is experiencing exponential change, polarisation, disconnection and dis-ease. Soulhub is passionate about ‘bridging worlds’ and encouraging healthier communities. We believe that the combination of nature and in-person connection has the potential to inject great wellbeing and joy into communities.
We also believe that everyone has their own unique talents that can be up-skilled or moulded to host wellbeing walks within your own particular community (Business and or Public)
Soulwalks are neither hikes nor rambles, they are gently contained walks that allow for connection to self, others and nature. We feel it’s the perfect timing for these spaces and activities to be created to support all.
Our next Soulwalk Leaders Course is on
Friday 15th March 2024 – Richmond, London
If you’re drawn to us by what you’ve read so far, please read all the information below, and drop us an email to book your introductory call.
What is a Soulwalk™
Soulwalks are free, open-minded heart-centred walks in nature, designed and structured to facilitates a more therapeutic and restorative experience whilst walking. In the process creating healthier, happier and safer communities.
Soulwalking super-charges the naturally holistic benefits of walking by integrating simple embodied practices of deeper and slower moving, breathing, contemplation, feeling and honest talking. All done with intention, awareness and appreciation, that gently yet profoundly guide one into a deeper presence with oneself, others and nature.
Soulwalks are very much about the awareness and presence of the person(s) leading the Soulwalk™ in creating and holding a space, or atmosphere that is safe, welcoming and therapeutic. It’s a type of moving “Sangha” (buddhist term for group support), it’s a sharing circle by nature but not always in structure. In other words there is no professional therapy or advice given, but rather just a responsibly guided social support group where matters of the mind, heart & soul can be safely shared and explored.
Soulwalks are limited to 16 people per leader so as to make sure everyone feels seen, heard and held. We like to start at 11am and walk for approx. 3kms (more or less), walking at a gentle pace for all.
At Soulhub we are passionate about empowering and supporting others. Hence we love to theme some our Soulwalks, giving local people an opportunity to be featured on part of a walk. People can share either their inspirational life stories or specialist subjects and talents such as botany, herbalism, foraging, gardening, music, art, dance or anything that is either educational or inspirational.
Soulwalks are always on public land and in spaces that are safe and easily accessible. They must not enter private property or any protected environment without permission.
Who is Soulwalk Leaders Training for?
This training course is ideal for anyone who is passionate about nurturing and empowering others for the wellbeing of all. We welcome therapists, coaches, business leaders, teachers, carer workers, parents, retired people, or anyone who sincerely wishes to develop themselves and gain valuable tools, techniques and tips on how to hold space and presence whilst walking and talking with others. Candidates must
- Be aged 21 or over
- Love walking, nature and supporting their community and environment
- Be reliable and responsible
- Be honest and self-aware
- Be grounded and inspirational
- Be organised and relaxed
- Be confident and caring
- Be outdoor and all weather confident
- Be heart-centred and open minded
- Considerations for dogs and dog owners on walks.
Why should I take this course?
There are 3 reasons why you might take this course. You can choose to run a Soulwalk branded walk, organise your own community walk, or just want to build your own confidence and life skills.
This course is designed to empower and give you the following 2 options:
-
Become a Soulwalk™ branded Leader
- Receive all the necessary marketing assets and support for your Soulwalk events With the support of Soulhub marketing assets such as logos, descriptions, images etc.
- Discount on additional training modules.
- Discounts to other Soulhub events, products and services.
- Connect you to a local, national and international network of Soulful people making the planet a more compassionate and healthier place.
PLUS PLEASE NOTE: During the course you will be guided through the operational, branding guidelines and franchise agreement which if you choose to become a Soulwalk™ Leader we will expect you to uphold and align with.
Alternatively…
-
Run your own walking events with our blessing.
However any further support, training and community will be at full price.
Irrespective of whether you choose to be a Soulwalk branded leader, the course will offer you:
Life and work skills:
- Help develop your leadership and group facilitation skills to hold safe and compassionate space including group dynamics, body language, non-violent or hierarchical communication.
- Managing those with additional needs
- Help you find more presence, empowerment, joy and peace in whatever area of life you have influence.
- How to find and develop supportive relationships within your community through deeper sense of presence, appreciation of self and others.
- Legal, ethical and practical responsibilities of leading a walk.
- How to promote walks through channels incl. MEET UP, Eventbrite and Social Media.
- How the public find and register for your local walking events
- How to start, lead and end a guided walk safely and effectively including route planning, time keeping and professional boundaries.
We’ll also be sharing everything we’ve learnt along the way, from 4 years of hosting these walks, and from our own therapy practices with clients. Everything from but not limited to:
👉🏼 Fine tuning awareness/intuition
👉🏼 Practicing presence
👉🏼 Simple gentle breathing exercises
👉🏼 Grounding
👉🏼 Meditation
👉🏼 Sharing circles
👉🏼 How to hold a safe & compassionate space
Here’s Georgina, one of our Soulwalk Leaders’ perspective of the course:
Who are the course trainers?
Global explorer Carmen Rendell (The Soulwalker) has been walking and talking with people all over the world since leaving her corporate career and becoming a trained integrative therapist. Not only does Carmen have an incredible talent for making people feel safe and at ease with talking about challenging topics, she holds a Level 5 diploma (BSc, mBACP) as well as two years at School of Wizards, three years working within an addiction centre and 6 years as director of Soulhub Ltd whilst running her walking therapy practice. Carmen takes most of her clients walking in nature as the basis for their therapy and integrates a number of psychotherapeutic and somatic methods to make their therapy sessions more engaging and effective. This work is what forms the basis of the Soulwalk™ methodology.
Former international dance performer and competitor Andrew Cuerden now therapeutic dance and life coach, joined Soulhub as co-director at the start of 2021. After 30 years of Ballroom and Latin dancing, Andrew experienced a major life recalibration which lead him on journey of self-discover and healing. The past 6 years Andrew has been integrating his life wisdom of dance, psychotherapy, yoga, metaphysics and integrative wellbeing in order to help others.
Andrew has spent most of his life exploring body language and the relationship of the mind and body. Now as a Metaphysical Dance & Life Coach Andrew uses many different psychosomatic/spiritual approaches to facilitate profound transformation and expression.
The Soulwalk journey so far.
Soulwalk™ is an integrated part of Soulhub Ltd, a holistic wellbeing community. Established in 2015 by walking therapist Carmen Rendell, and since joined by dance therapist Andrew Cuerden. Soulhub provides a wide and deep range of integrative therapeutic activities, services, wisdom and connections. Such as psychotherapy, dance, music and movement therapy, yoga, breath, nutrition, herbal and homeopathic medicine, and EFT. Delivered by a growing team of 25 independent wellbeing practitioners who work individually and collectively to provide a supportive web of soulfulness.
In 2018 the inspiration to start Soulwalk™ ,was sparked by a soul-to-soul chat with Constellation & Spiritual Coach Laura Beckingham. Their idea was to enable more people to benefit from this free, simple and natural remedy of mindful walking. Since then, we have held Soulwalks in major London Parks, in coastal towns around the UK, and in other cities around the UK, sometimes teaming up with brands such as Extract Coffee and Crabtree and Evelyn to share awareness around walking for wellbeing.
Soulwalk™ has also been part of a HSBC UK employee wellbeing program, and is now being rolled out as community Soulwalks around the country thanks to this training.
Why is Soulwalk needed now more than ever?
Since the Covid-19 outbreak, the world has experienced unprecedented levels of mental, physical and emotional stress. It is therefore no surprise that in the UK and many other countries around the world we have seen a huge increase in the number of people who have started walking daily and especially seeking out more natural spaces.
There is an ever growing amount of evidence that shows how walking is incredibly good for your holistic health. Click here for some supporting scientific evidence.
Soulwalk takes us on a few steps deeper, and what we love most about Soulwalking is it:
- Promotes deeper social cohesion and presence
- Reduces anxiety, loneliness and depression
- Reduces inflammation in the body
- Facilitates greater confidence and creativity
- Naturally supports our parasympathetic nervous system (e.g. Rest & Digest and immune functions, that heals and nourishes mind, body and soul)
There is an essential need for humans to connect more deeply and honestly with each other and with our natural environment. To sense and appreciate that we are not independent and that human survival depends upon co-operation and collaboration not on competition and domination with each other and nature.
The Vision.
A global community movement.
Soulwalk™ aims are to facilitate:
- Better understanding and compassion of ourselves and each other
- Improved mental, physical, emotional, spiritual and social wellbeing
- Deeper connection, appreciation and conservation of our natural world
It is imperative that anyone wishing to partake in a Soulwalk™ Leader training course resonates, agrees and follows the fundamental principles and values below:
Soulwalk™ values:
- Everyone is WELCOME
- Be honest and speak only from personal experience
- Be kind and compassionate to self and others
- Empower others
- No Soulwalker is left behind
- Be YOU and be PRESENT
I would love to be a part of this global community. How do I get involved?
Soulwalk™ Leader Training Course – 4 Stage Process
1 – A free Introductory Zoom Chat
2 – Ensure you’re free for our 1 Day Soulwalk™ Leader Training Course (9.45am-5pm). Next one is on Friday 17th March 2024 which will be held in person in Richmond, London
3 – Following the Introductory Call, we will invite you to join the course.
4 – Pay £300 to confirm your place.
BOOK YOUR INTRODUCTORY ZOOM CHAT HERE
1. Soulwalk Introductory Zoom Chat:
An initial 30 min Zoom chat or in-person meeting with Carmen & Andrew to get to know you. During this meeting it will allow you an opportunity to establish if the course is right for you but also for Carmen and Andrew to assess your eligibility for the course and to become a Soulwalk™ Leader.
To book your Introductory Zoom Chat. Please email andrew@soulhub.co.uk. In addition to who you are, we will also look to understand the following details:
- Your full name
- Residential Address
- Email Address
- Your contact Phone Number
- Proof of identity
- Social media handles (if you have any)
- The location where you want to host Soulwalks™ (if applicable)
- What inspired you to apply
If after the Zoom chat feel there is mutual agreement that the Soulwalk™ Leader Course is right for you, then we will send you a registration link inviting you to register for a Soulwalk™ Leader Course Training Day on a date that suits you.
- The Course:
The training is done on 1 day and lasts 7 hours. It is done either in person in Richmond, London or occasionally as a group session via Zoom. [Additional training days will be offered]
2024 DATES
Friday 17th March – Richmond, London (in person)
For Online Courses – All participants must have access to a computer with camera, microphone and stable internet connection. The training day is recorded for everyone’s benefit of training and development, allowing participants to be more present.
In addition to covering all aspects of creating, marketing and running Soulwalk™ including safeguarding and insurance. The day is also a wonderful opportunity to meet other great souls and share inspirational ways of working.
09:45 – Arrive and get ready for 10am start
10:00 – Start
13:00 – Lunch break
14:00 – Afternoon session
17:00 – Finish
Post course requirements:
If, on completion of the course, you’d like to run a Soulwalk branded course under Soulhub, we’d ask for the following:
- DBS Check (we will apply for you and send you the payment link)
- 2 personal references from employers and/or professional
- Completion of Safeguarding Course (We will offer this training in 2024)
- Adult only first aid course – We suggest the British Red Cross First Aid Course Certificate:
We will send you the Soulwalk™ logo (jpeg) to use on your website.
- Payment:
We will invoice you for the full payment of £300 to Soulhub. We’d require that payment is made to confirm your place on the course.
To Conclude:
We hope the above all makes sense. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact Andrew@soulhub.co.uk
We look forward to chatting with you, and welcoming you at our next Soulwalk™ Leader Training Course.
Carmen & Andrew
