Meet us at
THE JOY RETREAT, Barbados
A life-changing experience.
I invite you to join us for a week of connection amongst like minds,
for a healing and affirmative experience of feeling seen, heard and held.
Through a combination of movement, journalling, nutrition guidance,
meditation, nature walks, rest, connection and the healing space of women in communion,
you’ll emerge changed. Open to the beauty and possibility of the future.
Unfazed by the great transition that Menopause presents - and on the contrary -
grounded in an embodied knowing of the great promise tomorrow holds for you and your life.
I have created a joy full, nurturing space to help Black women in any stage of menopause
to reconnect with themselves.
This is the retreat I needed when I first recognised I was entering the menopause.
Unlike me…
You don’t have to feel alone.
In May this year, ten Black women gathered and created magic beyond anything we had imagined.
These Joy seekers left feeling rested, rejuvenated and ready to implement new learnings into their lives.
We are looking forward to extending a welcome to newcomers.
“I had not anticipated that although we were all black queens of a certain age, that our diverse backgrounds and experiences would bond us so closely in shared pain, and yet provided a catalyst for such joy and laughter.”
The Joy Retreat Barbados (29 April - 6 May 2024) is held on the unique Caribbean island of Barbados.
A jewel in the southeastern Caribbean Sea, nestled between the Atlantic Ocean in the east and the Caribbean Sea to the west.
It is known for having some of the most beautiful beaches in the world.
An island where life moves at a slower pace,
Barbados is the perfect contrast to Western life’s typical speed,
allowing you to reflect on you and what really matters.
“Being in a place where we are the majority and the ease with which we moved, within ourselves, and around the hotel and island and how natural it was, was everything. It took me a day or 2 to recognise why I was feeling lighter, then it hit me ... I wasn’t ‘on’ 24/7 - no code switching, masking, policing what I say and how I say it, how I look, how I wear my hair and clothes, how loud I laugh...”
The Joy Retreat Barbados is for Black women, in any stage of Menopause,
who feel that they have lost a part of themselves and need reminding of their divinity.
You deserve rest.
Loving kindness is your birthright.
Easeful living is within your reach.
The Joy Retreat Barbados will allow you to relax into softness and play with gentleness,
laugh loudly with no limits and relearn to treasure
your precious body, mind and soul
as you transition into the gift of this next stage of life.
It’s time that you were cared for.
It’s time to put the burden of responsibility aside.
You deserve this.
It’s time to say YES to you.
Choose Yourself.
10 Spacess
“The hotel was the perfect location for the Joy Retreat. Situated in one of the most beautiful parts of the island with its dramatic coastline and spectacular views, it felt magical and spiritual. The fact that we were the only guests staying at the hotel was an added bonus, it felt like it really was The Joy Retreat home for the week.
I realised, as the week progressed, just how important that was because we were sharing and revealing deep and personal emotions. We needed that sense of privacy to feel safe and free to move through the experiences together, without outside interruptions. That level of privacy allowed us to be ourselves and to embrace all that we were discovering.”
Investment: £2,696 GBP
inclusive of
Sole Occupancy Room | Airport Transfers (conditions apply) | Meals | Scheduled Activities
“The Joy Retreat has been one of the most transformational experiences of my life. No exaggeration!”
TERMS & CONDITIONS
Flights and travel insurance are the responsibility of each delegate. Pandemic coverage is advised
Workshops and activities are subject to change
Airport transfers provided, subject to specific arrival dates and times (recommended flight dates and times will be advised)
If the retreat is cancelled due to unforeseen circumstances, delegate places will be reallocated to a later retreat date
The Deadline for all delegate payments is 31st March 2024, irrespective of payment plan
All delegate fees are inclusive of a non-refundable £150.00 GBP Securing Payment
The Joy Retreat operates on a fixed-period delegate cancellation policy. Cancellations must be received in writing and shall be based on the following:
Delegate cancellation up to 23:59pm (GMT) 31st October 2023, will be 100% refunded, minus a £150.00 GBP Securing Payment
Delegate cancellation on or after 1st November 2023, will be 50% refunded, minus the £150.00 GBP Securing Payment
Payment, in part or full, confirms acceptance of the above Terms and Conditions.
Your Retreat Host
Karen is a post-menopausal grandmother, Fashion creative and menopause activist. Her podcast, Menopause whilst Black is committed to sharing the menopause stories of Black, primarily British, women. It was recently listed as one of the Five Best Midlife Podcasts in The Guardian and is now in its fourth season.
Karen is a gifted facilitator. Her ability to hold space for people to feel safe and nurtured has been described as ‘phenomenal’. She had a three decades long career as a teacher and a successful Pastoral leader before a breakdown (breakthrough) led to her stepping away.
Karen’s story ‘How Anxiety and Depression freed Karen Arthur’ was featured by Style Like U in their series ‘What’s underneath’ reaching 465k+ views on YouTube, to date.
Since leaving teaching Karen has thrived as a bespoke women’s Fashion designer, Artist, Stylist and Founder of Wear Your Happy movement which champions the positive links between fashion and good mental wellbeing.
Karen has been featured in Vogue, The Guardian, The Telegraph, Times Radio, Channel 4, Sky Arts, NY Times, BBC Breakfast news and countless radio and podcast interviews. She has also featured in menopause talks with Facebook, AllBright, Oglivy, Vichy, Bloomberg, Boots, Estee Lauder and Marks and Spencer, to name a few.
Karen speaks knowledgeably and passionately on a range of topics, including menopause, mental wellbeing, fashion and creativity. Supporting and nurturing Black women in all menopause stages is her passion and The Joy Retreat Barbados was borne from this.