I was lucky enough to be offered one of a very few places on this programme that brings together business and social impact leaders from a diverse range of disciplines to take part in an intensive re-wilding and practical learning experience that builds empathy, develops innovation capabilities and accelerates momentum for ecosystem change through partnerships. However I quickly realised that I had no way of gathering the funds to make this possible. A few friends suggested I reach for the stars and see what happens... and so this page took shape. 

Background Story: 

When we started our dream of opening a new school, we shared a deep rooted ambition for it to be part of a global shift towards sustainability and finding solutions to the planet’s biggest problems. 

We believe that our school should be a place of joy, and strive to champion a new model of education that fully ignites the imagination of children so they can engage and learn with optimism, curiosity, courage and with a sense of wonder. Through nurturing a reverence for nature and love for the world around us, we aim to develop a deep rooted sense of responsibility and care.

We realise that the community surrounding our children (teachers, staff, families, volunteers and friends), has  the opportunity to embody all the values that we hope to inspire within our children, and to be the model of what we hope a community of the future will be. 

The time has come for a radical shift in education.  Solving the problems we face on this planet requires exponential leaps in our collective imagination and new ways of harvesting our collective wisdom. 

New School is a very new initiative with a small team but big dreams. In this seedling phase of our development, we are running on very tight budgets but huge amounts of passion. When I saw the Global Challenge Retreat opportunity, I knew I had to apply. It offers the support and the experience that we need to propel our dreams for New School forward dramatically. 

I quickly found out that only 30 people are accepted each year.

I wrote an application sharing our vision and ambitions for New School and was shortlisted and invited for an interview.  During the interview the team stopped me to say how excited they were by how closely our dreams for New School align with their values and invited me then and there to take part. I was blown away and totally over the moon...but then realised that realistically I had no way of gathering together the funds within the timescale. I have until the 12th August. 

I posted about this opportunity on social media urging anyone who could afford it to apply and several people messaged me suggesting I put this fundraiser together. One very kind friend has offered to kick start my efforts with 25% of what I need. 

The fee is £1597 Exclusive of VAT (Total of £1916 with VAT).
The donation from one friend of £500 brings this down to £1416 to raise.
I have confirm or give up my place by the 12th August.
If I don't manage to raise the whole amount your donations will be returned to you rather than withdrawn from this fundraiser. 

If I didn't believe in making the seemingly impossible possible I would never have changed my whole life to make this new school happen - but somehow 'asking for support' always feels harder when it's a more personal request for help. However, I know in my heart that if I am able to take up this opportunity it will benefit our whole New School Community so very much!

About the Global Challenge Retreat 




Why the Global Challenge Retreat would be important to us

Going beyond sustainability and ethical business models, this retreat engages participants in a holistic model for social change and corporate development which integrates some of the latest developments in the fields of neuroscience (in particular as it relates to building empathy capabilities and inclusion), innovation, impact measurement and public policy. This enables participants to develop the leadership skills to build resilience and stimulate innovation, foster real collaboration and align diverse stakeholder interests to create ecosystemic change and societal impact.


Programme Benefits
If I was lucky enough to go the course would enable me to discover how to:

Build empathy and improve self-awareness to become a more effective leader and to improve capacity to create systemic impact.

Deepen connection with nature and re-imagine new ways of being and aligning personal and business goals with natural living systems.

Be at the forefront of Circular Thinking for Ecosystem Change, learning how to conceptualise, reframe and design new business models for increased profit and purpose.

Move beyond traditional Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) to Corporate Social Opportunity (CSO) integrating circular innovation and new partnership models.

Initiate local private and government partnerships and align diverse stakeholders for Sustainable Development Goals progress.

Become a part of a global community of change-makers working to create real ecosystemic change. 

Thank you so much for your kind support!