Activate Weekend Away 14-16th November, 2008

Switch On - Because you're worth it!
We hope you'll agree that it's wonderful being a woman. But isn't one of the downsides that we often don't value ourselves enough - don't recognise our own worth?

So our fabulous Activate Autumn Weekend Away is designed to redress the balance! There'll be lots of opportunities for pampering yourself as well as gently stretching your brain and your muscles.

You can sample any or all of the goodies on offer yourself over the weekend and then take the best of them back home to share with others in your community. We'll look at time management for manic mums - or any busy women for that matter - as well as great easy recipes to free up some kitchen time, and we'll share some good food and fun. We'll look at books and film, ethical fashion and beauty, self image, career and personal development.

And we'll leave time for pampering. You can take home some recipes for potent lotions and potions to make as gifts for others or to use in your own bathroom. Hopefully we'll all learn to love ourselves a bit more. There'll also be an opportunity to explore why we're of so much value to the one who made us just the way we are.

Tempted? Then book now and reserve yourself a place - Because you’re worth it!

For more information please email the office at: info@activatecv.org.uk or download the brochure here (right-click and save to desktop).

ACTIVATE EVENTS - ALL DECKED OUT! A Complete Success

If you weren't with us at the Royal Court Hotel for our Winter weekend you'll probably be kicking yourself! You missed a treat. In fact some of the delegates said that it was the best Activate conference in living history. 

We had deliberately only booked half the rooms we normally take up for the Spring conference as this was a pilot venture and had a different focus - we weren't training and resourcing people in the usual way, we were actually modelling the Activate ethos. Also it was the second weekend event of the year and we were aware that it was too much to expect all our members to afford both the time and the money to join us twice yearly, though some just couldn't resist.

Our keynote speaker was Diane-Louise Jordan who many of you will know from her work with Blue Peter and Songs of Praise. Diane is even more delightful in person and launched our conference with a burst of enthusiasm and joy as she encouraged us all to strive for our dreams. Diane was accompanied by her colleague Aileen Mkandawire who led a practical coaching workshop on the Saturday morning as a follow up session. Based on the dreams of Joseph it gave us all lots to think about.

Having a smaller event meant that it was much more relaxed and the Activate Team had a chance to relax with more opportunities to spend time with our guests. We were also able to offer some practical workshops on Saturday afternoon and everyone agreed that it was great to gather round the tables being creative together.

The creative sessions included Christmas wreaths made out of chocolates, hand-made silver earrings, bathbombs, and peg angels. The variety of Fairtrade stands meant that we were able to order or buy Christmas gifts and even wrap them creatively to take home, taking the stress out of Christmas shopping. And of course the new Activate book 'Freewheeling' arrived hot off the press in time for the weekend and makes a fabulous Christmas gift, especially when teamed in a basket with some pink champagne or luxury chocolates.

We keep mentioning chocolates and of course we had our usual welcoming chocolate fountains with fruit and marshmallows and a constantly filled basket of goodies on the desk in the foyer, no Activate event is complete without them.

Sheila Bridge's session 'Who stole your sex life' proved popular, with lots of humour, helpful statistics and some practical advice while Fiona Castle gave practical advice of a different sort in her workshop, 'Exploring life when you're too busy to think'.

As usual we had lots of fun including a Test the Nation after dinner quiz on Saturday night and lots of hilarity on Sunday as the team shared insights into the different ways we all celebrate Christmas.

There were also some poignant moments, as we walked through the fragrant and  wonderfully tactile Christmas Labyrinth, transported and lovingly constructed by Julie and her team and several people found the peace they experienced there was so special they returned to enjoy the solitude it offered, several times over the weekend.

On Sunday morning we stood together to honour those we have loved and lost in the Remembrance Day service - allowing an opportunity to gently weave some of our Christian message of peace and hope into the weekend.

We promised a fun, cringe-free weekend. Did we deliver? The feedback forms suggest we did. We asked, "Is this a good format to adopt?" The answer was a resounding "Yes".

You'll be glad to know that we intend to repeat the experience. So if you didn't manage to come this time then do make sure you book in as soon as possible for next winter. The dates are 14th-16th November 2008.

So, here's the plan. The team will be out and about around the country next year offering either Activate Training Days or Modelling Days in order to continue to resource and inspire you for action. If you'd like to host one of these days then please let us know. We're already planning events in Essex, Frodsham and Scotland and will happily discuss bringing a day event to your area.

Then 14-16th November we'll be back at the Royal Court Hotel, Coventry with a great weekend to which you can confidently invite friends whether they share your faith or not. Details of this will be available soon but get the dates in your diary now if you want to join us, and let us know as soon as possible if you want to book provisionally. 

Of course, for Activate members a lot will happen between now and then. Throughout the year we'll be providing you with our usual four full-colour magazines, and for those of you who have opted for Membership Plus you'll get the added bonus of Wow guides and the Activate PR toolkit.

And don't forget there is still time to order Gift membership for friends as an inspirational Christmas or birthday gift that lasts all year.

In the meantime we wish you a Blessed Christmas and a Happy and Prosperous New Year.

With love from The Activate Team xxx