retreat and mentoring programme

A support network for young adults who are facing significant challenges

What we do ↓

Referrals ↓

Support ↓

Contact ↓

All places fully funded for 2023/24

Men’s programme start: Oct/Feb/May Women’s pilot programme: 2024

Our programme is always small and participant centred, providing the means to inspire positive decision-making and hope-filled futures

interested?

What it looks like for you

The FIVE Stages

We will come to meet you for a McDonalds or a coffee near to where you are. We’ll discuss if it’s the right programme for you at the right time. If you’re keen to opt-in we’ll invite you to a pre-residential social with the other participants. This process allows us to assess and review any potential safeguarding concerns.
Duration:
4-5 days
Who:
Small intake of maximum 6 young men.
Where:
Hosted outside London at Trinity College Bristol, providing an opportunity for you to escape your everyday surroundings to promote deeper reflection. We eat lots of food and do a mixture of activities, workshops and sport.
Aim:
For you to develop your relationship with yourself, others and the world.
How:
The days include a balance of deep reflective exercises (e.g. workshops focused on themes such as masculinity, forgiveness and reconciliation, and hopes and dreams) as well as community-building activities (e.g. playing sports, cooking and eating together).
Food and travel provided for all participants
There are 6 ‘transitionary’ weekly workshops at Bethnal Green Mission Church, London, which underpin the routines and learning from the residential course, helping you transfer your learning to your everyday life.
We also provide assistance in guiding and signposting your next steps.
Planned, organised and executed by YOU, re-engaging with communities in a positive capacity.
You are offered a mentor from the local community as you move onto your next steps.

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support: mentoring

We match each participant with a mentor from their local area. If you would like to volunteer as a mentor we would love to hear from you - click on the link below to express your interest.
If you a London based church and have people who would be able to mentor participants from your local community, please get in touch.
Next mentoring training: Jan 2024

Be a mentor

support: donate

Oak London is a charity and relies on the generosity of individuals and funders. If you are in a position to support us financially we would be hugely grateful.
If you are part of an organisation who could support our work though their Corporate Social Responsibility or through matched funding please get in touch.

Donate

“Oak London provides a safe space and a community for individuals desperately in need of it. The space acts as a solace away from the challenges that come with their reality. The Oak London community provides guidance, insight and shared lived experiences. A perspective that many of the young people might not have access to. The residential aspect also allows them to come away from their natural habitat and function without the restraints and pressures that so many of them have become accustomed to.”

— Probation worker

It was amazing! Got to share a blissful moment with you lot. To be honest, I had never had moments before where I was able to open up and share my abhorrent encounters, but all I can say now is that my life has been marinated to do positive things instead. I’m so grateful for what you guys did for me though it was only four days away, it means so much to me. I feel comfortable and confident in myself to do good things and be an easy going person which you lot entrenched in me!

— Participant on pilot programme

Oak London is a project of Bethnal Green Mission Church and exists to promote reconciliation and reconnection within communities. We are faith-based, not faith-biased. We want to see young men develop strong support networks allowing them to build positive futures.