Programme

How to Make Your Friendships Flourish

5–7 September 2025 (Fri–Sun)

A fun, practical retreat on forming and deepening adult friendship

The research is startling: having close friends reduces anxiety and depression, increases our health and happiness, and even extends our lifespans. And yet the number of people saying they have no close friends increases by the year. Overlooked in popular culture, pushed aside by work and family demands, and weakened by a global pandemic, it’s time to get intentional about this foundational bond.

In this retreat we will explore what friendship is (and isn’t), how to overcome the barriers against it, plus fun and practical ways to form and deepen it, while looking at friendship in the life of Jesus—all in the warmth of Lee Abbey’s welcoming community.

Who's speaking?

Sheridan Voysey

Sheridan Voysey is an author, broadcaster, and founder of Friendship Lab—a new charity dedicated to making adult friendships thrive. He is a regular presenter of Pause for Thought on BBC Radio 2’s Scott Mills Breakfast Show, and the author of nine books, including Resurrection Year and The Making of Us. www.sheridanvoysey.com

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What to expect

Wondering what it will be like to stay at Lee Abbey for a retreat or a holiday?

You will receive a warm welcome from our international Community, a beautiful and spacious home to stay in, delicious meals prepared and served for you, a well resourced library, quiet spaces to relax in, lawn games to play, 288 acres of our estate to explore, the wild north Devon coastline and the South West coastal path (literally on our doorstep), and our own beach.

For more information about Lee Abbey’s ministry or details on how to support us, see “About Lee Abbey”. If you have any questions, please get in touch.

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