Dear friends,
Happy New Year!
I hope the New Year finds you well, after an enjoyable holiday season. If your holiday was anything like mine, it included time spent with loved ones, eating wonderful food, and going for long walks. Along the way, there were also one or two challenging scenes around the dinner table, with disagreements on some of the complex, contentious issues of our time. Does that sound familiar? If you experienced any moments like this, you’re not alone — according to recent More in Common data, more than two-thirds of the UK public (64%) think the country is divided, while a mere 15% believe the country is united.
We live in turbulent times, with seismic political change afoot in the UK, and growing conflict and geopolitical uncertainty on the global stage. St Ethelburga's depolarisation programme is designed to equip people with skills and education, to empower them to find agency in this difficult landscape. In 2026, we’ll be launching our 4-day Depolarisation Training: Holding a Radical Centre in Divided Times, where we explore how to build relationships across division and difference using our 5-step depolarisation framework. How do we engage with family, friends, and colleagues who hold different views? How can we respond thoughtfully in this moment of social polarisation?
If you can’t make the full 4-day training, we also offer a one-day Depolarisation Training on 11 February, as well as our Facilitation Training: Tools for Holding Difference with Courage, Conflict Transformation 101, and our ever-popular Conflict Coaching on 16 January, with an online option on 19 January.
Looking for a moment to pause and reflect with intention? Our Guided New Year’s Online Retreat on 9 January is the perfect opportunity. Join us in the Bedouin Tent for our first Contemplative Practice of 2026 on 13 January, and online for Soul Space on 14 January.
Listen to the World welcomes Laleh Abassi and Ala Zarai, in collaboration with Nava Arts, for their performance, Souls Unveiled in a New Dawn on 3 February. With Laleh on ney and Ala on sehtar, this duo offers a fresh expression of Iran’s rich musical traditions. On 3 March, join us for Yijia Tu and Peadar Davey, as Yijia, a singer-songwriter from China explores her cultural identity and diverse traditions through music-making.
Explore our online merchandise store and discover a beautiful collection inspired by our Bedouin Tent and rich history. The New Year is the perfect time to treat yourself or a loved one to a Peace Window Notebook or a Bedouin Tent Tote Bag. Every purchase supports our ongoing projects and mission — shop meaningful gifts that make a difference or plant a hedge today.
Finally, we’re excited to share that tickets are now live for the Spiritual Ecology Festival 2026, taking place on 13–14 June. Join us for a joyful celebration that weaves together storytelling, peacebuilding, and ecology, with talks, live music, workshops, panel discussions, contemplative spaces, and an overnight planting pilgrimage. Come be inspired by voices including Martin Shaw, Sharon Blackie, Emmanuel Vaughan-Lee, Simmy Singh, Nessie Reid, Dana Karout, and many more. Grab your early bird ticket today!
We look forward to welcoming you to one or many of these events soon.
With warmest wishes,
Clare Martin and the St Ethelburga’s Team