The creator of the Space to Be retreats is Ros Tennyson who has many years of experience as a facilitator both in the UK and internationally.
The major focus of her professional career has been to understand and promote collaboration / partnerships for sustainable development.
In addition to facilitation, this work has involved training, mentoring, action research, case studies and the development of frameworks and tools.
Facilitation Approach
Space to Be facilitators consider their task to be that of ‘creating the space and time to follow your own path both in a group and in your own way’. They share a commitment to providing an environment in which there is a balance between:
activity & stillness • talking & silence • free flow & light structure • being together & time to be alone • looking inwards & looking outwards
The Facilitation Team
With a growing number of facilitators, we are opening up opportunities for Space to Be in new formats and locations. Authorised facilitators currently include:
Gayle Hudson
Gayle is an accredited leadership and wellbeing coach and facilitator. She works across the public sector, supporting organisations and individuals to navigate challenges and thrive. The heart of her work is helping people reconnect with themselves and each other and find balance in their lives. Her own ‘space to be’ is found in yoga, walking in nature and being creative. Gayle is based in Oswestry – you can contact her on www.gaylehudsoncandc.com/wellbeing
Helen Stephenson
On her quest to find out who she is and where she belongs, Helen has discovered many treasures including: Yoga; Mindfulness; Body / Systemic Therapy, Counselling and, most recently, Space to Be. She has worked for over 40 years with individuals and groups, and she enjoys the weaving of a tapestry of life that occurs when people are in a supportive group environment. Helen is based in Milton Keynes – you can contact her on: helenstephensononline@live.co.uk
Sophie Matthew
Sophie is an experienced mindfulness and meditation teacher specialising in working with people with pain and long term health conditions, as well as stress and anxiety. She has years of experience in holding space for groups and individuals to explore and connect with themselves and others, she also runs retreats. Sophie is based in North London – you can contact her on
sophiematthew.mindfulness@gmail.com
Ros Tennyson
In addition to what has been covered above, Ros’s other interests include writing (fiction and non-fiction), music and walking. She is a trained Tai Chi teacher and Indian Head Massage therapist. She was a founder and co-director of Trigonos from 1996 to 2020 where she has facilitated many Space to Be retreats. Ros is based in Machynlleth (mid-Wales) – you can contact her on ros@rostennyson.info
The Development Team
The facilitators listed above are part of a larger group who are working together to grow and shape Space to Be. Additional team members are currently based in Lancaster, South London and Sheffield and we warmly welcome others to join us as we evolve this into a UK-wide movement.
“The facilitation at Space to Be was light yet attentive…
I really enjoyed feeling I could be on my own, knowing that I would be meeting up with the group later”
Feedback from a participant
“Thank-you so much for holding the space so beautifully, I found there was enough guidance and suggestion to feel ‘held’ and also that I had all the space to do exactly what I needed. I will definitely return!”
Feedback from a participant
If you have been on a Space to Be event and would be interested in joining
the Development Team please contact Ros (details above).