The Change Collective 2026 offers a unique opportunity for individuals dedicated to climate and environmental change to pause, reflect, and reimagine their approach. This program, co-hosted with environmental strategist Jonathon Porritt, brings together experienced professionals, activists, policymakers, and young leaders. It aims to provide clarity and resilience during a time of global uncertainty, particularly for young people facing economic and climate challenges.
The core of the Change Collective program is the question, “What now, and what is mine to do?” This guiding principle shapes all learning and discussion. Participants will gain clarity in a complex world, strengthen their resilience, build networks, reconnect with their purpose, and develop collective intelligence for climate action. The program encourages stepping back from immediate pressures to engage in more strategic thinking.
About the Change Collective Programme
The Change Collective is a nature-based leadership and reflection program for those already working in climate and environmental fields. This includes roles in activism, policy, corporate sustainability, community organizing, and environmental advocacy. The program is designed to help participants understand their role within larger systems and how to act effectively.
Programme Structure Overview
The program is divided into two main parts: a three-day residential retreat in nature and a three-month online community of practice. This blended approach allows for deep immersion and sustained learning.
Three-Day Residential Retreat (In-Person)
The residential retreat takes place at Sheepdrove Organic Farm in Berkshire, United Kingdom, from Wednesday, July 1 to Friday, July 3, 2026. This immersive experience in a natural setting is designed to foster clarity and transformation. Participants will engage in reflective sessions, structured dialogues on climate systems, guided nature experiences, and peer learning. The retreat focuses on three core lenses: “Me” for personal reflection, “You” for relational awareness, and “Us” for understanding collective systems.
Me – Personal Reflection
This part of the retreat encourages participants to consider their own evolution in response to the current moment. Questions include what personal habits need to change and what patterns must end to allow for new clarity. It’s a time to examine individual contributions and internal shifts needed for effective action.
You – Relational Awareness
Here, the focus shifts to how individuals interact with others, especially under pressure. Participants explore trust, how they navigate fear and fatigue, and how to manage tensions within groups. Understanding these dynamics is key to building stronger, more collaborative efforts.
Us – Collective Systems
This lens examines the systems participants operate within, such as their organizations or communities. It involves assessing the strengths and limitations of these systems and exploring ways to enhance collective agency. The goal is to understand how individual actions contribute to broader systemic change.
Three-Month Community of Practice (Online)
Following the residential, participants will continue their learning journey through an online community of practice for three months. This phase includes three online workshops (July 24, September 11, and September 25, 2026), fortnightly peer coaching sessions, and monthly action learning groups. The online component focuses on translating reflections into real-world actions, strengthening peer support, developing collaborative initiatives, and maintaining long-term accountability.
What Participants Gain
Upon completing the Change Collective program, participants will have a clearer understanding of their role in climate and environmental systems. They will possess improved emotional resilience, stronger decision-making skills, and tools for effective leadership. The program aims to renew energy and motivation for climate work, build a trusted peer network, and increase confidence in navigating complexity.
Why This Programme Matters
The Change Collective addresses the urgent realities of accelerating climate impacts, political instability, and burnout among climate professionals. By combining nature immersion, reflective dialogue, and peer learning, the program creates essential space for deeper thinking and more grounded, effective action. It acknowledges the need for deeper collaboration and reflection in addressing global environmental challenges.
Venue: Sheepdrove Organic Farm
Sheepdrove Organic Farm, the location for the residential retreat, is a certified organic farm and an environmentally restored landscape. It features chalk grasslands, ancient woodlands, wetlands, and biodiversity-rich ecosystems. The natural environment is integral to the program, helping to reduce stress, improve focus, and support systems thinking. Accommodation options include single rooms, twin rooms, and camping.
Facilitators and Leadership Team
The program is led by experienced professionals in climate strategy and systems change, including Jonathon Porritt, Chloe Revill, and Andy Raingold. Their combined expertise spans climate policy, activism, government advisory work, and leadership development. They bring a wealth of knowledge to guide participants through complex challenges.
Why Nature Is Central
Nature is more than just a backdrop; it is a core part of the program’s methodology. Being in nature helps participants reduce cognitive overload, improve attention, and step away from urgent demands. This allows for a reconnection with long-term systems thinking and a more calm approach to complex issues, supporting more grounded decision-making.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Change Collective 2026 program?
It’s a leadership and reflection program for people working in climate and environmental fields, designed to help them pause, reflect, and reimagine their approach to climate action.
Where and when does the residential retreat take place?
The retreat is held at Sheepdrove Organic Farm in Berkshire, UK, from Wednesday, July 1 to Friday, July 3, 2026.
What happens after the residential retreat?
Participants join a three-month online community of practice, which includes online workshops, peer coaching, and action learning groups to continue their development.
What are the main benefits of attending?
You’ll gain clarity on your role, improve resilience and decision-making, build a peer network, and renew your energy for climate work.
