This civilisation is dying, but people carrying the seeds of a new way of life will survive it. How can we navigate the vast possibilities that lie beyond the coming end of business as usual? A first step is accepting that our renewed imagination and action is required.

Our imaginations are often stuck on a simplistic fork in the road: utopia or dystopia. There are countless possibilities, and imagination is how we can envision and navigate them. Logic is useful, but too limited here. The imagination is what nature gave us for sensing how complexity unfolds. Lets use it!

As part of this week, artists Ruth Ben-Tovim, Lucy Neal from the Town Anywhere team will facilitate a new version of the internationally recognised Town Anywhere community visioning process with a “Throughtopian” lens, enabling us to time travel together to 2035 to 'rehearse the future’ . We will  then come back to 2025 to learn from the experience as we spend time exploring potential approaches to involving broad and wide groups of people in imagination led alternative future scenarios. For videos and information about Town Anywhere see here.

We’ll ask uncomfortable questions: the belief that transition must eradicate global injustice and inequality is high among progressives, but to many this sounds like an invitation to utopian failure: ending in oppressive state interventions. By Thrutopia we mean creating an “imperfect” future through bold and inspired pragmatism. There, full-scale collapse may be averted, but injustice, markets, and inequality will probably continue to exist, even if much reduced. How do we use ideas from across the political spectrum to achieve this? Our enquiry will be based on convening discussions about alternative futures while keeping an open mind, which includes grappling with politically diverse perspectives.

Practicalities

There will be time to work (5-6 hours a day being a comfortable amount), except for on the weekend of September 6-7. Most food will be vegan but you are welcome to supplement as you wish – there is a big tesco within walking distance. At Bidston Observatory most rooms are shared, though beds have their own curtain dividers. Unless you are affected by insomnia or a terrible snorer, you should assume you will be sharing a room with other residency participants.

When: September 3-10. Please plan to attend the entirety of this gathering, unless you are a local coming for the Town Anywhere workshop day only.

Where: Bidston Observatory, the Wirral

Entire residency cost: Full rate (covering organisers’ time) £650+ | Covering food, board and facilitation £550 | Subsidised rate £450

Full week cost for off-site participants: same as above, minus £140 for each pricing tier

September 6 Town anywhere workshop cost: £20 (subsidised rate, lunch included) | £30 (breaking even rate, lunch included)

Tentative schedule (can change also based on participants’ needs):

  • 7-8 am: optional meditation 

  • 8-9 am: optional breakfast

  • 9:30-10:15 am: collective care for cooking, cleaning, gardening

  • 10:15-11:30am open space (sometimes this might be shifted to the afternoon on certain days)

  • 11:30 am-1 pm: own time

  • 1-2 pm: buffet lunch (there will often be a semi-structured conversation over lunch) and dishes

  • 2-6 pm: own time

  • 6-7 pm: table dinner (there will often be a structured conversation over dinner; please arrive promptly) and dishes

  • 7:30pm-9pm: evening activity; please plan on definitely coming to this.


We want to create a space that is safe, supportive, and nourishing for everyone. By joining this gathering you agree to:

1. Respect for the Group & Space

  •  Engage with kindness, openness, and confidentiality—what is shared in the group stays in the group.

  • Respect different perspectives, backgrounds, and spiritual traditions.

  • Participate to the best of your ability, while honouring your own boundaries.

2. Wellbeing & Responsibility

  • This residency is not a therapy space. While deep emotions may arise, you are responsible for your own wellbeing.

  • If you are struggling, please reach out to a facilitator, but know that we are not trained mental health professionals.

  • You are responsible for your own physical and emotional safety during the retreat, including any time spent in nature or engaging in activities.

  • We will not take any responsibility for drug or alcohol use.

3. Logistics & Practicalities

  •  Accommodation and meals are included, and we will do our best to meet dietary needs (all meals are vegetarian) - you must let us know of any allergies in advance.

  • You are responsible for arranging your own travel to and from the retreat.

  • Deposits are non-refundable, and cancellations within 14 days of the retreat will not be eligible for a refund (unless in exceptional circumstances).