It was the most wonderful evening. You created something really beautiful and I can’t wait to come to the next circle. I have been imagining and yearning for something like this and it was just magic
— Naomi
Illustration of two hands forming a circular frame around the word "FLORESCENCE," with floral and leafy decorative elements on a green background.

FLORESCENCE: A Sister circle

for Women in medicine

Logo with the text 'Earth and Bloom' in elegant, serif font.

Thursday 4th June 2026

6.30pm - 7.30pm

Welcome, connection and a light supper

7.30 - 9pm

Circle

Riverbank, The Village Green,

Burnsall

NorthYorkshire, BD23 6BS

A DIFFERENT WAY: GATHERING IN CIRCLE

Throughout history, women have gathered in circles.
Not to fix or compare, but to share.
To be seen. To be heard. To restore what the world drains away.

These gatherings are not new. They are ancient, and they are effective. From moon lodges to grandmother circles, women have long known that wisdom is strengthened in community and that healing doesn’t always come from doing more, but from being held.

Modern research supports this, too. Facilitated peer groups and reflective storytelling have been shown to reduce emotional fatigue, enhance empathy, and reconnect physicians to purpose

(Medical Teacher, 2020; Academic Medicine, 2018).

WHAT IS FLORESCENCE?

Florescence means blooming — and this circle is your invitation to do just that.
Gently. In your own time. In good company.

It’s not another webinar or workshop.
It’s a sacred pause.

A space to reflect, breathe, and return to yourself, not just as a clinician with a label and persona, but as the complete, complex beautiful human being you are.

At EACH GATHERING, YOU’LL FIND:

  • Gentle mindfulness and breath-based practices

  • Space to speak openly, to share your story without judgment, expectation or advice

  • Restorative rituals, shared poetry and creative reflection

  • Connection with women who understand the path you're walking

All held in a beautiful setting, with nature on our doorstep, by the tranquil River Wharfe.

Fire, candlelight, good food and a sense of ease and space to just be.

Whether you're stretched thin, quietly curious, or longing for a moment of stillness — join us.
You are welcome here, just as you are.

This is Florescence:
A space for women in medicine to breathe, bloom, and belong.

Close-up of the cross-section of a wooden log showing growth rings and cracks.
“Alison is amazing - she brings an abundance of empathy, ease and joy to her work and is incredibly talented at creating spaces where people can flourish. Words that come to mind in describing Alison’s approach to her work are thoughtful, sensitive, creative, generous, and filled with integrity. She is deeply committed to her workshop participants and works hard to ensure that they have a richly rewarding experience.
What makes Alison particularly wonderful is the breadth of her skillset and the way she blends her previous professional experiences in order to offer such unique and high quality gatherings.”
— Dr Susy Stirling, Coach, Facilitator, Supervisor, Associate Dean NHSE Yorkshire & Humber
Hands in prayer position with bracelets and a horseshoe tattoo outdoors.
Logo with the text 'Earth and Bloom' in elegant, serif font.
Four women standing in a green field during sunset, facing away from the camera, making heart shapes with their hands.

Dr Alison Smith, a former GP and experienced Time to Think Coach and Facilitator, creates a gentle and compassionate space where doctors can slow down, reflect deeply, and think with clarity about what truly matters to them.

Rooted in nature and connection, Alison offers one-to-one coaching and small group gatherings for doctors who long to feel grounded when life feels unsteady, who may be overwhelmed, exhausted, or stuck, and who are ready to take meaningful steps toward change.

.

Smiling woman holding flowering branch in a lush green field
Afterwards I felt lighter, something happened during that day and some of the heaviness I had been carrying lifted. It was a true reminder of the power of nature; time; space; breathing and of human connection. Huge thanks to Alison for creating such a positive and life affirming day
— HW General Practitioner
Person lighting a candle with a match inside a glass container, with other candles burning nearby.

Your Investment £60

Multiple hands touching a fallen tree trunk in a forest with green leaves and a large, twisted tree in the background.
An indoor display with a floral wreath and three candles on a pink marble slab, with a glass door leading to an outdoor patio with green trees and chairs.
Physicians, especially women, benefit from structured spaces of reflection, peer support, and emotional processing. These aren’t luxuries - they’re protective against burnout and moral distress.

— Medical Teacher, 2020
What a gift to witness the connection, calm, and courage shared here. The way you hold space for women in medicine, in harmony with nature, is nothing short of sacred
— Emma
Person holding a bouquet of yellow and white flowers while sitting outdoors, with forest background.