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Walsingham House at Abbotswick is the youth retreat centre for the Diocese of Brentwood, based in Navestock, just outside of Brentwood. Working alongside the Brentwood Catholic Youth Service (BCYS) to provide retreat experiences for young people aged 9-18. For almost 40 years Walsingham House has worked with school groups during the week for day or residential retreats, and at weekends for parish Confirmation retreats.
However this year we are taking the opportunity to review different structures and help our centre best serve our young people across the diocese. In order to do that effectively and to recruit staff and team we are unable to run our usual retreats. However, we still see the importance of young people having a place to come away from their busy schedules and usual environment. Walsingham House is set in 14 acres of beautiful countryside so is a perfect location to step away from everything.
We would like to offer the use of Walsingham House at Abbotswick for self-lead day groups. If your school or parish would like to book a retreat or you would like further information please email our Hospitality Manager, Issy, at [email protected].
During these retreats we will be on hand to provide light refreshments during break times and to help behind the scenes so you can run your own day retreat effectively.
Please note that Walsingham house is available for retreats Wednesday-Saturday 9am-5pm. This year due to staffing changes we are unable to provide lunches, we therefore ask all groups to bring a packed lunch.
We look forward to welcoming you soon.
Spirituality
Walsingham House takes its name from England’s national shrine to Our Lady, Walsingham, Norfolk, and appropriately the house is under the patronage of Our Lady of Walsingham. Through Walsingham, Our Lady shares with us her joy at the Annunciation – that moment where she said yes, freely and joyfully, to carrying the Son of God and giving herself completely to His service.
Walsingham House is committed to the evangelisation and formation of young people, and the team at Walsingham House are a community of young adults who choose to live and work together; sharing their faith and testimony, providing witness to young people and developing in their own formation throughout the year. Many team members have experienced first-hand a Walsingham House retreat or BCYS event as a young person, and this has often led them to join the team as a young adult.
Meet The Team
Meet the staff who will be on hand during your retreats- meet the team
Working at Walsingham House
We are looking to recruit a new volunteer team for September 2024-July 2025
The team are nourished throughout the year by a programme of formation provided by staff, clergy and guest speakers, as well as having a regular pattern of prayer, Sacrament and spiritual direction.
Most of the team are full time volunteers aged 18-25 who choose to work at Walsingham House for a year or sometimes more, and are led by two full time staff members.
Being a volunteer team member involves living in a community, being a positive witness to young people through peer to peer ministry on retreats at Walsingham House and in wider BCYS events, and a year of personal and spiritual development.
Young people aged 16-18 are able to volunteer at Walsingham House throughout the school year at weekends and work alongside the team, particularly if they are interested in volunteering in the future.
For further information visit the ‘team’ section of our website.