It’s Betsy here, Saira’s eldest daughter. This week we just got back from running the Finding Your Wild retreat at St Nectan’s Glen and I thought “why don’t I share my experience as mum’s right hand woman on residential retreats!”
It was such a beautiful couple of days and I thought you might enjoy seeing a behind-the-scenes look at what it’s like to be there… from my perspective!
Arriving at The Glen
There’s always a nervous excitement I feel travelling down from Bath to Cornwall. Each retreat is so different, and I’m always excited to get to know the people who are joining. My role is to support Mum as her right-hand woman – making sure our guests are looked after, prepping for mealtimes, and helping wherever I can to give Mum the headspace she needs to hold the space for others.
I also run my own business as a social media manager, so I’m there to capture content for Mum – and because it’s a digital detox, I take photos and videos for guests too, so they have memories to share with friends and family when they return home.
Seeing the shifts
The transformation I see in people over the few days always blows me away. Women often arrive in a freeze state or visibly overwhelmed. Some are very quiet, barely speaking at mealtimes. But by Monday, they’re relaxed, laughing, speaking up with confidence – even with the challenges they’re facing at home. With the quieter ones, it’s seeing them come out of their shell and connect that gets me. It honestly makes me emotional just thinking about it.
The magic of St Nectan’s Glen
The waterfall is obviously a huge draw for this retreat – and it’s not hard to see why. I’m in there twice a day with everyone else! Some guests are apprehensive at first (understandably – it can feel overwhelming if you’re not used to it), but by the final dip, everyone went in. Watching that shift- from nerves to full-body joy – is so beautiful.
On Monday at breakfast, I asked whether anyone would be open to sharing a short video about their experience. I was overjoyed when Sue, one of the lovely attendees, said yes. As you’ll see in her video, she arrived feeling overwhelmed – and to have the bravery to speak on camera and share was just incredible. I felt so happy for her for doing that.
Hear about Sue’s transformation
Seeing mum in her element
What’s special about Mum is she’s exactly the same person on retreat as she is at home. Just as caring, just as present. She takes on the responsibility of holding space so naturally, and it’s no surprise to me that women have been coming on her retreats for over 14 years. I’m really proud of her – what she’s built, what she offers, and the transformation she brings to people’s lives.
The thing about the St Nectan’s Glen venue is totally unique. You’re completely cut off from everything, immersed in the woods. The spiritual energy is strong. Chef Tim’s food is a huge part of what makes it special too — he’s incredible and always does such a top job of catering to everyone’s needs.
Thinking about September….
If you’re on the fence – book it! A few of the women this time said they were unsure before booking, but they were SO glad they did. Whether you’ve never done anything like this before or you’re a regular at Mum’s events, you’ll gain something. I certainly did – and I was working it! The energy, the connection, the friendships – it’s magic. I made 12 new friends in the people that came.
There are still a couple of shared rooms left. I spoke to one of the women who shared, and she said it was lovely – the rooms are spacious, so it didn’t feel cramped, and she felt she built an even closer bond with her roommates.
19–22 September 2025 | St Nectan’s Glen, Cornwall
Shared rooms from £729pp | £250 deposit to secure your space
Flexible 6 – 12 month payment plans available
About me (Betsy):
I’m Saira’s eldest daughter and have worked on her retreats since I was 15 so I’ve probably met a lot of you before!
Last year, I took inspiration from mum and went self-employed, starting my own business – Grounded Socials. I write all of mum’s emails and I help other wellness businesses with their Instagram and content. And I absolutely love what I do!
