Overview
A three day intensive, experiential residential at the Wilderness Centre, Gloucestershire, exploring the power of group process and how to use relationships effectively in practice.
Three day intensive, experiential, learning opportunity.
During this residential experience participants explore working closely with others and learn how to use relationships effectively in their practice. Join us at the stunning Wilderness Centre, Gloucestershire as you learn about the power of group process in a safe and enjoyable way.
History:
- Living-Learning Experiences (LLEs) were developed by a team of experienced mental health professionals in the 1990s and were hosted for many years by Growing Better Lives and took place in Kent.
- The background for this work is that there is a significant lack of these skills in many areas of mental health, care and teaching of children, other personal development work, and more generally in managing and treating people in a compassionate and suitably sensitive way. We have developed a format of training that is adaptable for a wide range of settings and participants.
Statement of aims:
Living-Learning Experiences is a partnership of experienced mental health professionals who provide carefully planned and structured learning experiences to develop:
- Reflective practice for those aiming to provide therapeutic environments
- Advanced group facilitation skills for those working in therapeutic communities
- A lived experience of sociotherapy for any mental health practitioners
- Understanding of complex emotional dynamics accessible to all health workers
- Appreciation of the use of relationship in all encounters – for professionals in any field
- An appreciation of emotional intelligence for all those whose work would benefit from it
This course runs three times a year. The next one will take place in May 2026. The cost of this course is currently £630 per person, this covers accommodation and meals. Please contact us if you would like to book multiple places or find out about a bespoke LLE. If you would like to apply to join this course then please contact Angela Brown; abrown@mulberrybush.org.uk
Attending an LLE will help you meet RCPsych Community of Communities' standards which require "...experiential training. For example Living - Learning Workshops"
Upcoming course dates:
2026:
- May 22 - 24
If you have any questions then please do not hesitate to get in contact and we'll be very happy to help.
For more information please download the course flyer here.
For most of our courses, no previous therapeutic training is required. Our sessions provide an accessible introduction while also creating opportunities for experienced practitioners to revisit and reflect on their existing practice.
The Foundation Degree is different, as it is work-based. You must be working with children or young people for at least 16 hours each week, through paid employment or a voluntary role, with opportunities to apply and reflect on your learning in practice. You do not need specific previous qualifications, but you may be asked to complete a short written task as part of the application process.
What you will learn
Yes. Most of our courses can be commissioned by organisations and delivered in person or online, adapted to the context, needs and experiences of your setting. Several courses can be delivered to teams of up to 30 staff.
Training a team together can be particularly valuable, as consistent practice often depends on clear communication, shared understanding and a shared language between the adults involved.
Benefits and Outcomes
Mulberry Bush has been developing therapeutic approaches to working with children, young people and the adults around them for nearly 80 years.
Our training is rooted in practice. It draws on the day-to-day experience of our therapeutic schools, alongside established theory, current research and learning from professionals across children’s services. Our trainers have direct experience of working within the field and understand both the value and the emotional demands of this work.
We do not offer simple responses to complex situations. Instead, we support practitioners to develop the understanding, confidence and reflective capacity needed to make thoughtful decisions within their own roles and organisations. Our approach is:
- Collaborative – we seek to work with, and learn from, others who share our vision and principles.
- Psychodynamic – we promote an approach which enables us to understand the meaning of behaviour as communication.
- Reflective – we believe in the value of learning through reflection and experience.
And, we live by our values:
- Expertise – we are pioneers, thought-leaders, influencers and change-makers.
- Empathy – we care, support and work with professional, practitioners and the people we serve to enable them to make their own change and collaborate with and are here for everyone who needs us.
- Everyone – we are a community we collaborate and are here for everyone who needs us.