Started by The Happy Startup School in 2013, Summercamp is where 150 purpose-driven founders, solopreneurs and leaders from around the world come together to get inspired, learn from one another and have fun over 3 life affirming days.

Each year we curate a unique mix of talks, workshops and experiences for you to feel inspired, build your knowledge and find new business soul mates. It’s called a ‘friend factory’ for a reason.

See you in the field.

Kaia-Allen Bevan

Don’t Spectate, Participate: The Revolution’s Calling

What does it look like to show up for the world; not one day, but every day? In this honest and energising talk, Kaia Allen-Bevan explores what it means to move from passive witness to active participant in creating change. Through stories of advocacy, discomfort, joy, and radical empathy, Kaia invites us to rethink activism not as a role for “other people,” but as a series of everyday choices. This is not a talk about perfection. It's about intention, reciprocity, and the ongoing, imperfect commitment to asking: what are my roles within the ecosystem of social change, and how do I deepen them?

Tad Hargrave

THE 7 FUNDAMENTALS OF ETHICAL MARKETING

Tad Hargrave is a hippy who developed a knack for marketing (and then learned to be a hippy again). Since 2001, he has been weaving together strands of ethical marketing, Waldorf School education, a history in the arts, culture making, anti-globalisation activism, an interest in his ancestral, traditional cultures, community building and supporting local economies into his work. He helps hippies create profitable businesses that are ethically grown while restoring the beauty of the marketplace. In this talk he’ll share more about his philosophy and how you can start to learn to reframe marketing, and who knows, maybe even start loving it.

Ayse Birsel

How to Trick Your Mind into Creativity

The secret to creativity isn't thinking harder, it's thinking sideways. Drawing on karate feints, football dummies, magic misdirection, and design process, this talk reveals that breakthrough ideas don't come from frontal assault on a problem. They come from cognitive feints - deliberate distractions that trick your conscious mind into releasing its grip on what you know, opening a space where imagination can enter. From the Heroes Exercise to Frank Gehry's sailboats, author and design Ayse Birsel will show how the greatest creative leaps are actually well-orchestrated acts of beautiful misdirection.

Akil Hunte

WHAT DEFINES YOU?

In 2025, Akil came to Summercamp to clarify what defines him. From making history at his law school and qualifying as a lawyer, to witnessing the Grenfell Tower fire from his bedroom window, to speaking with leaders and being invited to meetings at No.10 Downing Street, he has been on a journey of self-discovery as a budding entrepreneur. In this vulnerable, honest and empowering talk, he will take you on a journey to discover what truly defines you on your mission to become the greatest version of you.

Ann-Marie Anderson-Mayes

THE BRAIN IN OUR HANDS

Your hands are doing more thinking than you realise. They reach, hold, make, soothe, express, often before your brain catches up. In a world of screens and scrolling, this is a gentle nudge back to the magic of touch. Ann-Marie, an embroidery teacher and founder of Beautiful Stitches and the hands manifesto, explores the quiet intelligence in our hands and how they shape how we create, connect, and care. Less overthinking. More making. Because sometimes the best way to get out of your head… is to get into your hands.

Jerome Ribot

ON THE OTHER SIDE OF FEAR Is PLAY

AI hasn’t just changed how ideas are generated. It’s changed how decisions are made, what clients respond to, and what “creative value” even looks like. For many of us, that shift feels terrifying. Fear of losing your edge makes it harder to experiment with new tools - especially AI. Jerome Ribot from Coglode will share a very human journey from AI anxiety to creative play. Drawing on behavioural science, he unpacks why sunk cost and loss aversion keep us clinging to pre‑AI ways of working - and how cultivating curiosity can turn that discomfort into fuel.


Tamu Thomas

REDEFINING AMBITION

As life trundles on, and healing and self-development work deepens, many of us begin questioning the ambition we once chased so relentlessly. Was it purpose or pressure? Desire or anxiety in disguise? In this honest and thought-provoking talk, Tamu Thomas, a human flourishing expert, will explore the shift from striving to discernment, from dissociation to embodiment, and what happens when success stops being about proving yourself. What if becoming less ambitious actually makes you more powerful?

Georgina Jones

A Summercamp regular for many years, and now host of this transformational gathering, Georgina Jones creates spaces where people can reconnect - with themselves, each other, and the rhythm of life. Through coaching, speaking, and immersive experiences like Grief Disco which she co-founded, she blends movement, music, and reflection to help people process change and rediscover joy. Georgina will be bringing energy, warmth and no doubt a lot of sparkle.

Laurence McCahill & Carlos Saba

Meet the co-founders of The Happy Startup School and the creative brains of Summercamp. Friends since school, business partners for 20 years and community builders for the last decade, Laurence & Carlos will be here to welcome you to their spiritual home, whether it’s your first time or you’re coming back for more of the same. If you see them at camp, come say hi.

Chris Kenworthy

Chris Kenworthy is a coach, facilitator, and gentle mischief-maker who helps people get out of their heads and back into being human. He creates spaces where meaningful conversations, unexpected insights, and the occasional awkward stretch can all happily coexist. Blending coaching, movement, and curiosity, Chris invites people to slow down, notice more, and not take themselves too seriously.

Vix Anderton

Vix Anderton is a coach, facilitator, and self-confessed “recovering perfectionist” on a mission to help people loosen their grip and live a little more freely. After years in high-pressure environments, she now guides others toward a more human way of being that values connection, authenticity, and the courage to be imperfect. Expect warmth, laughter, and moments that feel real in the best possible way.

Judy Andrews

THE SUPERPOWER OF BEING YOU

Somewhere along the way, many of us forget who we really are and what makes us super. We get busy. We get distracted. We get a little lost. This workshop is a reset. A space to pause and remember your strengths, your instincts, and the things that come naturally to you but might not feel extraordinary anymore. Through guided reflection and practical exercises, you’ll reconnect with what makes you uniquely you. You’ll leave with clarity about where you’re strongest, why it matters, and the confidence to move forward boldly. Because when you build from who you are, everything else becomes clearer. Clarity builds self belief. And self belief changes everything.

Pete Mosley

AGES, STAGES & IDENTITY SHIFTS

There comes in life a moment when the fear of becoming irrelevant appears. Not because we are fading but because the world we learned to matter in is no longer the one we are living. Some people get caught up in the fear and drift into the sidelines. Others relax into a kind of earned authority and don’t see this as a problem. What if this moment isn’t some kind of decline, but rather a repositioning? In this thought-provoking session author and coach Pete Mosley will help you step into a different kind of usefulness. Not a loss of value, but rather a shift in the kind of value we offer. These are not signs of fading. It’s the arrival of a more refined version of yourself.

Hema Patel

UNSTUCK YOURSELF

If decision fatigue, analysis paralysis or procrastination are getting in the way of your business moving forwards, then read on…Athletes use visualisation to get ahead, leaders use coaching to make an impact and creatives use meditation to get into flow state. Experience an activity which incorporates all three. Leave with clarity on your next steps, confidence to make bold decisions and courage to take brave action. This workshop is all about closing the gap between idea and implementation, and getting yourself unstuck. Led by trauma-informed hypnotherapist and coach Hema Patel.

Charles Davies

WHAT ARE YOU DOING?

One of life’s big thinkers, Charles Davies is a coach, mentor and creative consultant. He has been teaching people how to be clear for the last 15 years. He has been an ever-present at Summercamp since 2014, bringing his unique gift for building clarity and connection in various forms. In this session he invites you to bring a part of your life - work, money, parenting, relationship - and write a kind of mini-manifesto. It's like doing an inventory of your commitments and checking that what you’re doing is what you need. Simple but transformational.

Lucy Werner

HOW TO MAKE A LIVING FROM YOUR IDEAS

Most of us have a story we tell ourselves about how we can't make different income streams from our expertise. Too much to do and not enough time. Too localised. Too soon. Lucy Werner, the founder of Hype Yourself, has made a living from PR, a paid newsletter, brand partnerships, books, and VIP days at her house in France. Most of which she didn't see coming and several of which she was convinced wouldn't work. This hands-on workshop is about getting out of your own way. You'll look honestly at the income streams you've been dismissing, explore the ones that could actually work, and leave with a mini-zine full of ideas. The easiest thing you could sell might be the one you haven't tried yet.

Carlos & Laurence

IDEAS CAFé: HAPPY NETWORKING

Hosted by Carlos and Laurence from The Happy Startup School, Ideas Cafe is designed to inspire, empower and connect purpose-driven founders in next to no time. They invite you to bring a question or challenge you're facing with your work or business right now. It could be about a new direction you're taking, finding work-life balance, getting more customers (firing others!), launching your business or an existential crisis, all are welcome :) We’ll get into small groups, work through everyone’s questions and together come up with ideas and insights that can help you move forward. And it’s not imperative to come with an ask for the group. You might get ideas hearing others speak when you're there.

Ayse Birsel

DESIGNING FOR MAGIC

The secret to creativity isn't thinking harder, it's thinking sideways. Drawing on karate feints, football dummies, magic misdirection, and design process, this workshop will show you that breakthrough ideas don't come from frontal assault on a problem. They come from cognitive feints - deliberate distractions that trick your conscious mind into releasing its grip on what you know, opening a space where imagination can enter. From the Heroes Exercise to Frank Gehry's sailboats, discover how the greatest creative leaps are actually well-orchestrated acts of beautiful misdirection. This is a follow-on from Ayse's talk and will take a deeper dive into how you can apply this to your own projects.

Chris Kenworthy

Think less, play more

Play isn’t a luxury or just for kids. It’s our way back home to the joy of being alive. It’s the antidote to self-judgement, getting things wrong, or relentlessly doing all the things all on your own. In this gentle session we get undefended and explore what happens without pressure to perform, impress, or pretend. Chris Kenworthy, coach and opening ceremony host, will welcome you to play as you are - mischievous, tender, or something you haven’t yet met. Expect games, movement, human connection, and laughter. You’ll leave feeling more alive and present - more you; with new ways to bring play into your work, your relationships, your everything.

Yinka Ewuola

MAKING, MANAGING AND MULTIPLYING YOUR CASHFLOW

In this workshop, we’ll explore three very different (and often confused) money skills: making, managing, and multiplying. We’ll uncover the two activities that actually drive cashflow, and why most of us avoid them. Then we’ll rethink pricing (what are you really charging for?) and explore how money can start to grow, not just flow. Expect practical tools, honest insights, and a few lightbulb moments about your relationship with money.

Gemma Gilbert

Futureproof your business by doing less

Make a bigger impact without burning out. An introductory workshop about designing group offerings that create spaciousness and sustainability. With experienced business coach Gemma Gilbert you’ll explore how to move from 1:1 to group work, how to avoid feeling like you’re pigeonholing yourself, and how to overcome the fear of going “group.” Ideal if you’re curious about scaling with integrity and creativity.

Krystle McGilvery

SYsTEMIC SABATEURS

You’ve done the mindset stuff. The affirmations. The journaling. But your pricing still feels sticky. Your profit still feels shamey. What if the issue isn’t just internal? This workshop is a bold unearthing of the systemic, cultural, and ancestral stuff that tangles around our worth and wealth. We’ll map the hidden forces shaping your decisions, and begin building new practices rooted in equity, integrity, and actual confidence. Less shame. More sovereignty. Let’s untangle the money mess.

Alan Wick

Ask ME anything about business

Struggling with pricing? Wondering how to grow without selling your soul? Curious what enough really looks like in business? In this open session, seasoned coach Alan Wick brings decades of experience with purpose-led founders and invites you to ask him anything. Money, mindset, models… nothing’s off the table. Expect candid conversations, grounded insight, and a rare chance to talk about the numbers and the deeper stuff with someone who’s been there and truly gets it

Tad Hargrave

THE 7 FUNDAMENTALS OF ETHICAL MARKETING

Tad Hargrave is a hippy who developed a knack for marketing (and then learned to be a hippy again). Since 2001, he has been weaving together strands of ethical marketing, Waldorf School education, a history in the arts, culture making, anti-globalisation activism, an interest in his ancestral, traditional cultures, community building and supporting local economies into his work. He helps hippies create profitable businesses that are ethically grown while restoring the beauty of the marketplace. In this workshop he’ll help you to learn to reframe marketing, and who knows, maybe even start loving it.

Maddy Alexander-Grout

Stop procrastafaffing: Visibility for the NEURODIVERGENT

Brilliant ideas, half-written posts, endless tabs open… sound familiar? This workshop is for the wonderfully neurodivergent among us who know they want to show up more but somehow end up procrastafaffing instead. Blending practical visibility tips with social media strategy that works with your brain (not against it), ADHD money and business coach Maddy will help you cut through the overwhelm and find an approach that feels doable, sustainable, and fun. Less overthinking. More showing up your way.

Asis Patel

What's your business story?

Your business is you. But you also have a life outside of it. In this workshop, Asis will help squeeze out a clear story for your business. One that reflects who you are without boxing you in or blurring your identity. Whether you’re already running a business or thinking about starting one, this is about being able to clearly say what you do in a way that feels like you. You’ll leave with a simple sentence you can use the next time someone asks “So…what do you do?” And a clearer way to talk about your work without losing yourself in it.So what you do is understood for what it really is. Not just something “nice” but something valuable & impactful.

Kirsty Lewis

HOW TO BUILD A COMMUNITY

As the era of the freelancer is in full swing, people are feeling more and more professionally lonely. Kinda ironic when many of us work with people, love people and want to help people! We are craving connection, conversations and community. Join Kirsty from School of Facilitation as she shares everything she has learnt about building a thriving global community. This is the workshop for you if you are thinking about building your own community or have a community and are curious to see how others do it. And if you know anything about Kirsty, this will be a hands-on workshop vs her spouting forth for 60 minutes!

AFLO. The Poet

CREATING A RECIPE FOR CHANGE

What do you say when the words won’t come? In this playful, creative writing workshop, AFLO. The Poet invites you to find your voice, one ingredient at a time. Together, you’ll craft your own “recipe for change,” mixing thoughts, feelings, and ideas into something simple, honest, and powerful. A dash of this, and a sprinkle of that… what would you add to the mix? No writing experience needed.

Will Taylor

COUPLES THERAPY WITH YOU AND YOUR BUSINESS

Using a playful two-chair therapy exercise, psychotherapist and founder coach Will invites you and your business into an honest conversation. By personifying your business, you’ll explore the stories, expectations, and frustrations flowing in both directions, and uncover where disconnection might be creeping in. Part reflection, part revelation, this workshop offers a fresh way to understand your work, your patterns, and yourself.

Lana Jelenjev

MINING OUR ANCESTRAL STRENGTHS

We are not just our ancestors’ sufferings or their traumas. We are also living and breathing descendants of our ancestors’ triumphs over adversities. We are not only the wounded parts of generations past. We are remnants of their resilience and the flames of hope they kept alive. We are also the collective memory of their wellness. We will remember and re-member the ancestral and cultural strengths that enabled us to be in the here and now.

Sally-Anne Airey

BEING FEARLESS FORWARD

Who are you when you’re not afraid? This is a workshop for those who want to explore their emotional landscape. Leadership coach, and founder of Skilful Leaders Sally-Anne, guides you through a simple emotional mapping exercise and offers a tool that may just help you find your own way through the difficult moments in your life.

Wood-fired sauna & HOT TUB

Our wild wellbeing area is back this year with our newly built, wood fired hot tub and sauna. Come and share the beauty of sweat bathing with the people of Summercamp. Expect Finnish whisking and a lesson in how to spa the right way.

WILD SWIMMING

It’s called Frickley Lake for a reason. Right next to the sauna and spa is a little body of water perfect for swimming. It’s become a ritual for Summercamp regulars to head into the water at the first opportunity. So bring your swimmers and we’ll see you in the lake.

beats and breathwork

Now a regular at Summercamp, Tom Woodfin brings his beats and breathwork to the soul cafe once more. Through guided meditation and repetitive beats, expect embodiment and somatic sound journeys.

Saba Therapies

With the healing hands of Annalisa Saba you’ll release some of the stress, tension and maybe trauma locked into your body. She will help free some of the negative energy you’re holding with myofascial massage and unconditional kindness.

EARLY MORNING Yoga

Stretch, soothe and balance your way into the day. A staple each morning at Summercamp and the perfect way to get things moving.

THE BIG PIANO SINGAGLONG

Join these legends as they rip through mega-medleys and genre-switching mash-ups of all the top 90s+00s songs that You Oughta Know every single word to! Sarah Weiler and friends have spent the last 4 years taking the festival circuit by storm, including performing to 3500 at Glastonbury and getting on BBC Breakfast. With the intimacy of a pub singalong and the main character energy of the Pyramid Stage, you're in for a night of joyful nostalgia.

Mindful MORNING rave

Ever been to a rave with a cup of tea? Start as you mean to go on with a mindful morning rave. This gets bigger and better each year and we’re already looking forward to it. Pack your bright neon leggings or layers, to get the party started at 7am on Saturday morning as the sun rises over the trees. This is always a highlight for many.

Stick it On DJs

An everpresent at Summercamp since 2014, it’s where every camper gets the chance to be a DJ, giving you 15 minutes of fame to rock the dance floor. It’s interactive, engaging and most importantly a lot of fun. Think you know someone? Wait until you hear their musical taste!

SOUND BATH

Woodchester Piano Company is the ambient project of musician and producer Julian Deane. His performances are part gig, part film screening — immersive journeys where music and moving image meet. This will be a mindful pause on Saturday afternoon where you can lie down and bathe in the soundscape.

Soulful singing

Singing together acts as a natural anti-depressant and is scientifically proven to improve health and wellbeing. Expect connection, endorphins and some impressive harmonies. You don’t have to be a singer to sing.

CHURCH OF FAIL

Join us at the Church of Fail on Sunday morning with Matt Matheson. We’ll be embracing our mistakes in this fun and high impact service. This has been a Summercamp hit over the last couple of years, and we look forward to hearing your stories of failure.

WORD UP POETRY SLAM

Last year, an impromptu poetry slam popped up and completely stole the show. So, we’re bringing it back. A space to share stories, thoughts, and ideas through poetry and spoken word. Whether it’s something you’ve written or words that have moved you. No pressure. No perfection. Hosted by the one and only Akil Hunte.

Nothing is (im)possible quiz

No trivia. No specialist knowledge. Just strange questions, silly clues, and plenty of laughs. Hosts Stephen and Simon have redefined what it means to win in the legendary quiz that will leave you with more questions than answers. Join a team or bring your own, meet new people, and see if you can crack questions that make no sense… until they do.

DAWN CHORUS WITH TOM FORWARD

Bird mimic and wildlife expert Tom Forward from Knepp Estate will once again help us to tune into the different bird songs and identify the species unique to this part of the country..

Herbal healing

Join Jemma Ward, medical herbalist and founder of Tribe Herbs to make something medicinal out of plants. You’ll go for a little forage, find those healing herbs, and make a little bottle of magic to take home with you.

Sunrise Service

Head out for an early morning walk led by Kim Slade from Unlost Co. You’ll be rewarded with a moment of calm before the inspiration kicks in.

CAMPFIRE SINGALONG

Sing in the round with your fellow campers. The perfect way to end a magical day at Summercamp, with ‘ancestral Netflix’ as our entertainment.

PSY FIT

At a Psy-Trance Festival last summer Sarah realised that she'd accidentally been doing mega cardio for 7 days straight, so has turned it into a class where you can both get fit and maybe ascend to another dimension. Are you ready to BASS the music and TRANCE?

Pop Bangers Line Dancing

Easy to follow dance moves to awesome 90’s rave, dance, R&B and hip hop. What’s not to love? Tess will be hosting a session that is sure to be banging, bassy, joyful and fun. This is one not to miss, last year it went offfff...!

CATERING FROM FIELD FOOD

Field Food combine the love of delicious food and human connection, guided by principles that reflect how they want to live in the world. Their values are woven into every meal they create – community, seasonality, nourishment, regenerative, low waste and slow food movement. They will nourish you from the inside out nad hope you feel held by this intention.

Fri 12

9:00 - 11:00

Registration

Arrive, meet your fellow campers and get settled in

–

11:00 - 12:00

Opening Ceremony

–

12:00 - 1:00

Buffet lunch

Nutritious food from our friends at Ren’s Kitchen

–

1:00 - 2:40

Talks in the tipi

–

2:40 - 3:00

Break

Tea, coffee & snacks

–

3:00 - 4:30

Workshops

Across 5 learning areas:
Purpose pod
Launch lab
Money marquee
Tribe tibi
Soul café

–

4:30 - 6:00

Free time / activities

–

6:00 - 7:00

Bar opens

–

7:00 - 9:00

Dinner

A delicious 3 course meal (including wine)

–

9:00 - 11.00

Entertainment

Live music
Open mic night
Campfire

Sat 13

7:00 - 8:00

Morning activities

Yoga in the tipi
Mindful rave

–

8:00 - 9:00

Breakfast

–

9:00 - 11:10

Talks & idea pitches

–

11:10 - 11:30

Break

–

11:30 - 12:30

Workshops

Across 5 learning areas:
Purpose pod
Launch lab
Money marquee
Tribe tibi
Soul café

–

1:00 - 2:00

Buffet lunch

–

2:00 - 3:30

Workshops

Across 5 learning areas:
Purpose pod
Launch lab
Money marquee
Tribe tibi
Soul café

–

3:30 - 4:00

Break

–

4:00 - 6:00

Free time/activities

–

6:00 - 7:00

Bar opens

–

7:00 - 9:00

Dinner

A delicious 3 course meal (including wine)

–

9:00 - 11.00

Entertainment

Pub quiz
Stick It On DJs
Campfire

Sun 14

7:00 - 08:00

Morning activities

Yoga in the tipi
Sunrise service

–

8:00 - 9:00

Breakfast

–

9:00 - 11:20

Talks

–

11:20 - 11:35

Break

-

11:35 - 13:15

Workshops

Across 5 learning areas:
Purpose pod
Launch lab
Money marquee
Tribe tibi
Soul café

–

1:15 - 14:15

Lunch

–

2:15 - 3:00

Closing ceremony & goodbyes

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3:00

Bus leaves, departures

In a nutshell

What’s it like to be a summercamp?

Hear about the experience from some participants and speakers that were there last time