A Weekend of Craft, Calm & Coastal Swims 2-5th October 2026
Our Retreat
Tucked into the beautiful Cornish countryside near Goran Haven, the old Cornish chapel offers a calm, light-filled space that feels instantly grounding. Its simple wooden beams, soft echoes, and gentle sense of history create the perfect backdrop for slow crafting, shared meals, and quiet moments of reflection. Just a short stroll from the sea, it holds that unmistakable Cornish blend of rugged beauty and deep peace,, a place where you can settle in, breathe out, and let the weekend unfold.
About Ange.
🌊 Angela Collins — Founder, Salty Swims CIC
Ange is the founder of Salty Swims CIC, a community‑focused organisation created to make cold‑water wellbeing, confidence‑building, and Blue Health practices accessible and affordable for everyone.
Ange is an Open Water Swimming Coach, Swim Teacher and Cold Water Therapist
With a background in complementary therapies, education, and trauma‑informed practice, Angel brings a calm, grounded presence to every session. She has supported hundreds of swimmers, from nervous beginners to seasoned sea‑lovers, helping them reconnect with their bodies, build confidence, and experience the mental and physical benefits of open water.
Ange founded Salty Swims CIC because she believes community wellbeing shouldn’t come with barriers. Her work centres on safety, inclusivity, and creating spaces where people feel supported, empowered, and part of something bigger than themselves.
About Julie
✂️ Julie Vella — Founder, Creative Threads Cornwall CIC
Julie is a textile artist, workshop leader, and founder of Creative Threads Cornwall CIC, a community‑driven organisation dedicated to making creative experiences affordable, accessible, and welcoming to all.
Julie teaches at Cornwall College and runs classes for crochet, knitting, Kinusaiga, Slow Stitch and teaches how to use your machine with confidence.
Her workshops blend traditional textile techniques with mindful, modern creativity, using natural fibres, coastal textures, and gentle, grounding processes. Julie has a gift for teaching in a way that feels spacious and encouraging, no matter your skill level.
Creative Threads Cornwall CIC was founded on Julie’s belief that creativity is a form of wellbeing, and that everyone deserves access to it. Her sessions are calm, inclusive, and deeply nourishing, offering people a chance to slow down, connect, and rediscover the joy of making with their hands.
Our Crafts
At the the heart of our weekend are the craft workshops where you will find, a calm, welcoming space where hands can settle, minds can soften, and simple materials become something meaningful. Across the retreat you’ll explore a mix of soothing craft activities, from relaxed crochet sessions to slow-stitch picture making that encourages you to pause, breathe, and let each thread find its place. Every workshop is designed to be accessible, tactile, and deeply grounding, giving you the chance to create at your own pace while enjoying the quiet rhythm of making alongside others.
Our Swims
The sea swims are a gentle anchor throughout the retreat, offering a steady rhythm to each day. Our guided swims are calm, supportive, and shaped entirely around comfort and confidence, giving you space to settle into the water and feel held by the coastline. As the light fades, we gather again for a night swim a quiet, magical experience where the sea feels softer, the world slows down, and you can move through the water under the glow of the evening sky. It’s not about distance or speed, but about presence, connection, and the simple joy of being in the sea.
