Welcome to your Black Design Guild Cohort Guide. This is the home of everything you’ll need to know in the run-up to the retreat, and throughout the rest of the programme.
We’ve included everything you’d ever want to know in here, but if you want to know what’s essential for now, check out the links in the essential reading box.
Cohort Guide 2026.
All you need to know for the 2026 cohort.
Essential reading:
Things to read or do now.
View important dates & cheat sheet.
Book or decline the shuttle and get reimbursed.
Deadline: 15 June 2026.
About the Black Design Guild.
The Black Design Guild is a fully funded programme of support for Black researchers and designers hosted by Hello Brave and funded by Impact on Urban Health and JRF. Our vision is a new generation of confident and well-compensated Black research and design leaders, pushing towards a more equitable civil society and world.
About the Programme.
We’ve designed this five-month leadership programme to be lightweight, but mighty. It includes a 3-day retreat, a series of 3-hour cohort workshops, £800 of Learning & Healing budget and a celebration event at the end.
Giving you dedicated space, time, resources and community to reconnect and realign as you continue to learn, heal and grow.
Important Dates.
The Retreat.
Where: 42 Acres.
Mon, 20 Jul - Thu, 23 Jul 2026.
Cohort Workshops.
Where: Zoom.
Friday, 21 August 2026 ⋅ 14:00 – 17:00.
Friday, 18 September 2026 ⋅ 14:00 – 17:00.
Friday, 16 October 2026 ⋅ 14:00 – 17:00.
Celebration Event.
Where: Location TBD.
Fri, 30 Oct 2026. 16:00 til late.
Programme cheat sheet.
You’re all busy people, so if you don’t have a chance to read everything, here are the things you must know including your next steps.
Retreat Location: 42 Acres, Farmhouse Retreat Centre.
Retreat Address: Holt Road, Witham Friary, Frome BA11 5HL.
Closest stations: Gillingham (Dorset), Bath Spa or Bristol Temple Meads.
Shuttle Service: Shuttles available from Bath Spa station
Your Next Steps:
Save the 5 key programme dates to your calendar
Book your train or let us know you’re driving
Book or decline shuttles and get reimbursed for train tickets here.
Deadline: 15 June 2026. Drivers reimbursed after the retreat.
You can get in touch with us at hello@blackdesignguild.org
The Retreat.
The basics.
Where To Be.
Location: 42 Acres.
Address: Holt Road, Witham Friary, Frome BA11 5HL.
What3Words: herb.direction.sculpture
Closest station(s): Gillingham (Dorset), Bath Spa, Bristol Temple Meads.
Shuttle Service: Shuttles available from Bath Spa station
When To Be There.
Check In: 20 July 2026.
Please aim to arrive between 15.45 - 16.00.
Check Out: 23 July 2026.
We’ll need to leave the site by 13.30.
About the Retreat
The Black Design Guild Retreat is designed to kick off your five-month programme. It is hosted and facilitated by Tayo Medupin and Dr Peggy Warren. Over three days, you’ll have the space and support to ground yourself as a leader of research and design.
The content & the vibe.
The retreat is being designed as we speak (so we’ll share more detailed information in the next few weeks). As a heads up, however, you can definitely expect:
Space to meet and build relationships.
A combination of deep solo reflection and group work.
An opportunity to go a little deeper on some important foundations for leadership in research and design.
Time to reflect on yourself, your work, your journey so far, and to deepen your understanding of how you want to grow.
NOTE: we will not focus on craft skills in this retreat. We’ll be focused on supporting alignment, grounding and direction to support you with the journey ahead.
The agenda.
-
15:45 - 16:00: Check-in.
16:00 - 17:00: Rooms and refresh.
17:00 - 19.00: Convening and welcome.
19.00 - 20.00: Opening Meal.
20.15 - 21.15: Somatic Space: A primer (optional).
…
NOTE: Agenda is subject to change.
-
07.00 - 08.30: Meditation loop.
08.00 - 10.00: Breakfast.
10.00 - 10.30: Checking in together.
10.30 - 12.00: Fireside chat with Julian, Kieran & Laura.
12.00 - 13.30: Lunch.
13.30 - 15.30: Leadership module one: Work and the Self.
15.30 - 15.45: Checking out.
After we check out, you’ll have around two and a half hours to explore, rest, refresh or join the optional somatic space before dinner.
16.00 - 17.00: Somatic Space: A practice (optional).
17.00 - 18.30: Free time.
18.30 - 20.00: Evening Meal.
20.00 - late: The house party (optional).
After dinner, if you want to, we'll invite you to create the house party that we imagined together during your cohort selection chats.
…
NOTE: Agenda is subject to change.
-
07.00 - 08.30: Meditation loop.
08.00 - 10.00: Breakfast.
10.00 - 10.30: Checking in together.
10.30 - 12.30: Leadership module two: Navigating Power.
12.30 - 13.45: Lunch.
13.45 - 15.45: Leadership module three: Feedback.
15.45 - 16.00: Checking out.
After we check out, you’ll have around two and a half hours to explore, rest, reflect or refresh before dinner and our evening celebration. You’ll also have access to the onsite sauna and the 42 Acres team will also be offering one of their activities to connect with and explore the land. You might also want to use this time to pack your bags and prepare for departure tomorrow.
16:00 - 18.30: Free time and sauna (optional).
18.30 - 20.00: Woodland dinner.
20:00 - 21:30: Storytelling with Wendy Shearer.
…
NOTE: Agenda is subject to change.
-
07.00 - 08.30: Meditation loop.
08.00 - 09.30: Breakfast.
09.30 - 10.30: Leading in alignment.
10:30 - 12:00: Closing circle.
12:00 - 13:30: Final lunch & goodbyes.
The taxi shuttles to Bath Spa station will leave the site at 13.30pm.
…
NOTE: Agenda is subject to change.
Meet your cohort.
Bethany Thompson.
Senior Race Equity Project Officer. Mind.
Haja Bangura.
Associate User Researcher. NHS England.
Hafsa Hersi.
Health Care Management Consultant. User Centred Design. Accenture.
Jade Bradford.
Customer Communications and Engagement Manager. Stonewater.
Jarius Manu-Barrett.
Implementation Coordinator. UCL Partners.
Omena Osivwemu.
Education Policy Officer. National Education Union.
Thabita Luzitu.
Relationship Manager. Social Change Nest.
Tobi Bello.
UX Designer. Accenture.
Souad Deen-Swaray.
UX Designer. Shelter.
Vivian Látìnwọ̀-Ọlájídé. Research Fellow (Applied), Oxford University.
NOTE: If we’ve got the wrong role or link for you, please do let us know!
The retreat team.
Tayo Medupin, Facilitation Team. Is a researcher, designer and facilitator who operates under the name Hello Brave. Focused on early years, mental health and structural inequalities and obsessed with power, equity and process design, Tayo brings 15 years experience of research, design and facilitation. Clients have included Nuffield Foundation, JRF, Citizens Advice, Mellon Foundation, Wellcome Trust and Alphabet X. Tayo is currently writing a fantasy novel and loves plants, theatre and pottery.
Dr Peggy Warren (she/her), Facilitation Team. Is a Leadership and OD consultant with 30+ years’ experience. She’s passionate about inclusive systems change, equity, and accessible research. Worked with the NHS, Barclays, FitFlop, and Sainsburys. Currently, Peggy leads on a double award-winning programme for women of colour in HE sectors. Her work is grounded in justice; she’s an integral coach and published author. Peggy is also interested in spirituality and is currently a Postgraduate Chaplaincy student.
The care team.
To make sure the retreat runs smoothly we’ll have the support of the amazing events team at 42 Acres and some awesome members of the Black Design Guild Team on hand throughout.
Tope Medupin.
Will be helping to make sure your experience is smooth.
Michael Ojo.
Will be paying attention to the finer details across the days.
Amelia Woods.
Will be coordinating with the wider events team at 42 Acres.
About 42 Acres.
42 Acres is a regenerative estate and retreat centre with a long-term vision of sustainability and to live in harmony with nature. It is sat across 173 acres of rewilded landscapes and ancient woodlands, in the serene countryside of Frome, Somerset.
We chose the space at 42 Acres not only for its beauty and location, but its core ethos of creating a space for transformational experiences and fostering opportunities to ‘learn, heal and grow.’ These shared values and the intentionality of the team make this an ideal home for the retreat.
Please note: 42 acres is a white run event venue.
Our dream is a Black-led venue so if you have any suggestions for future retreats, please share them at hello@blackdesignguild.org
Where You’ll Sleep.
All of the accommodation at 42 Acres is gorgeous, and there’s enough for everyone to have their own room with a dedicated bathroom or ensuite. You’ll be dotted across the site at a few different locations including The Farmhouse, Deer Cottage and Swallows Nest.
The Deer Cottage.
Light, airy and calming. Home to up to 3 cohort members. Arranged over one floor.
Swallow’s Nest.
Peaceful, rustic luxury. Home to up to 4 cohort members. Arranged over one floor.
The Farmhouse.
Nestled in nature. Home to up to 3 cohort members. Private bedrooms upstairs, while the ground floor will be at the centre of the retreat - where we eat, and convene.
The Rettig.
A conversion designed as a peaceful sanctuary nestled in nature. This will be home to the facilitation & care team.
A Bit About Food.
When it comes to food, 42 Acres follows a soil-to-gut philosophy: healthy land, healthy people. They work in harmony with the land, cultivating and restoring soil health, and in turn us.
Everything you’ll eat is regenerative, organic, and hyper-local, mostly grown in their permaculture garden or wild-foraged from the surrounding land. Each meal is an expression of love, from the land to you.
We’ll be working with the amazing team at 42 Acres to curate a menu to suit our group as well as take into account our nutritional, allergy and religious requirements.
Here’s what that looks like day to day:
Day One: Dinner.
Day Two: Breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Day Three: Breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Day Four: Breakfast and lunch.
You’ll find specific times in the agenda. Also important to note that these may change depending.
We’ll also have snacks and refreshments throughout the day and extras on hand in case you need it. There are no shops nearby, so if you have any specific snacks you want or need, please bring them along.
Getting There & Back.
Details to Help You Plan.
Check In: 20 July 2026. Aim to arrive between 15.45 and 16.00.
Check Out: 23 July 2026. Leave by 13.30.
Address: Holt Road, Witham Friary, Frome BA11 5HL.
What3Words: herb.direction.sculpture.
Closest Station(s): Gillingham (Dorset), Bath Spa, Bristol Temple Meads.
Shuttle Service: Shuttles available from Bath Spa station.
Important Note: you’ll be arranging your own transport from your start point to either 42 Acres or one of the pre-arranged shuttle points. To help us with logistics please confirm travel plans by 15th June 2026.
All of your travel expenses will be reimbursed by Black Design Guild. Please keep your receipts.
-
Closest Station: Gillingham (Dorset), Bath Spa, Bristol Temple Meads.
Please note there are two Gillingham stations in the UK, you want the ‘Dorset’ one.
We will be operating a shuttle service from Bath Spa to and from 42 Acres, as Bath Spa is more easily accessible for cohort members travelling from both the North and South.
-
Please let us know if you are booking or declining the shuttle here. Deadline 15 June 2026.
On the Way There (via Bath Spa):
Mon, 20th July.
Shuttle Departure Time: 15.00.
Shuttle Arrival Time: Around 15.45 – 16.00.
On the Way Back (via Bath Spa):
Thu, 23rd July.
Shuttle Departure Time: 13.30.
Shuttle Arrival Time: Around 14.15 – 14.30.
…
If you’re planning to catch the shuttle, please leave enough time to catch it. These will be run by a local taxi service, not BDG, and they may not be able to wait.
-
If you’re using private transport or driving please still let us know here.
If you’re driving there are two entrances to the site. You want the 42 Acres entrance.
We recommend using the what3words location herb.direction.sculpture to get to the site.
This will take you directly to the junction to turn off the road, where you will see a teal sign for ’42 Acres.’
Follow the track for a few hundred meters and you will see the 42 Acres Farmhouse as you approach. There is plenty of parking on site.
We recommend you arrive at 42 Acres between 15.45-16.00
We’ll send you a reimbursement form the week after the retreat. Please keep your receipts.
-
Travelling via Public Transport
Once you’ve booked your transport (e.g. Train, bus) use the travel reimbursement form to let us know your travel plans, book onto the optional shuttle and get your travel expenses paid.
Travelling via Private TransportIf you’re driving or arriving by private transport, please let us know here. We’ll send you a reimbursement form the week after the retreat.
🤑 Note: For accounting purposes we’ll also need you to share a copy of your receipts. You can send those to us at hello@blackdesignguild.org
In all cases, we'll pay you back as soon as possible and typically within 2 - 3 working days depending on your bank. However, if you'd prefer to get your money upfront (so you're not out of pocket) that’s totally fine. Let us know and we'll work with you to get that arranged.
-
If you get lost, feel free to contact the team on the day. We’ll share contact details closer to the time.
Helping to curate the space.
Over the next few months we’ll be designing the retreat in a way that creates a space where we can all be and belong.
Thanks for letting us know the ways that we can adapt the space in your confirmation form. So far we’re planning to ensure space for prayer, time for meditation in the mornings, sensory friendly spaces, suitable seating options that offer support, pre-reads for those who like time to process, alcohol-free drink options & making all activities optional.
We’ll also work together on the first day to make sure we agree on some ways of being in space together. We want to make these are grounded in openness, honesty, bravery, accountability and care.
If there’s anything you’d value us designing into the space, please let us know at hello@blackdesignguild.org.
How to Prepare.
We know getting ready for a retreat takes some practical and personal prep. From getting into the right headspace to packing the right shoes, here’s some tips of what to bring and how to get ready emotionally and mentally in the run up to retreat day.
The Practical Stuff.
What We’ll Provide:
Notebooks.
Pens, pencils of all colours.
Sharpies.
Post Its and paper
Creative materials if needed.
All food and refreshments.
All rooms include towels.
42 Acres is also equipped with wifi.
Spare chargers (just incase).
Cosy slippers and socks for inside spaces.
First aid basics (e.g. Plasters, painkillers, and antihistamines).
What You’ll Need To Pack:
Clothes for thinking, reflecting and being, both indoors & outdoors
Shoes that can handle some walking, water and potentially mud
Swimwear and a beach towel if you’d like to take a dip in the lake or use the sauna. 42 Acres’ room towels are for inside use only.
Anything you need to prepare for the weather - hats, rainwear, sunscreen etc
Any personal medication (e.g. EpiPen, inhaler)
Anything else that helps you ground and reflect
Note: There is no dress code for the retreat. Please come as you are, as you want to be. Just in any way that makes you feel like you. There will also be a photographer on day three, but you’ll be able to let us know if you’d prefer photos taken of you not be used.
The Personal Stuff.
This retreat is a moment for you to pause, reflect and start building foundations for the future. While we’re going to design the retreat in a way that centres care and allows you to work at the pace that’s right for you, this work takes work.
To make sure you’re in the right space for this, we’d encourage you to take some time to think about what you’re hoping to get out of the retreat, what you’re excited about and what feels hard. As you reflect, some things to remember:
You are awesome
You deserve this
This was made for you
We’re on hand if anything comes up that you’d value support with. This can include everything from money to cover childcare or other care responsibilities, covering time off, pre-retreat coaching etc.
Just get in touch at hello@blackdesignguild.org.
Care, Wellbeing and Safety.
During the retreat we will be centering care, wellbeing and safety. You can read Hello Brave’s policy here.
As part of this we will hold event insurance, work with the venue to promote safety, weave care throughout the retreat design and have a remote mental health professional on hand to support any needs.
We’ve also collected your Emergency Contact details.
We'll only contact this person in case of any emergencies and will delete this within 1 month of the retreat.
Frequently Asked Questions
Still have questions? Take a look at the FAQ or reach out anytime.
-
The first session on the first day will start at 17.00 at 42 Acres. So we recommend arriving around 15.45-16.00 so you can get settled in. We’ll share the full agenda with you soon. If you think you’ll arrive later than 16.30, please contact us as soon as possible.
-
If you miss the pre-arranged shuttle from Bath Spa, feel free to jump in a taxi and we’ll reimburse you. If you’d like us to support you in arranging a taxi for the final leg of your journey, if you missed the shuttle, please contact us as soon as possible.
-
We’re really excited to see you at the retreat but we know that life happens. If you find that you’re no longer able to join us at the retreat, please do let us know asap. We currently have a long waitlist, so letting us know asap will allow us to offer this fully funded space to someone else.
You can let us know by emailing hello@blackdesignguild.org.
-
The Black Design Guild team is on hand to support you all the way through the run up to the retreat.
Please do not hesitate to contact us if there’s anything you need. Please say 100% of what you want and we’ll work together to see what we can do.
As ever you can reach us at hello@blackdesignguild.org.
In the run up to the retreat we’ll also provide contact numbers, in case you have something urgent and need to text or call.
This is a live cohort guide so you may occasionally see us here making edits and additions.
Something missing? Let us know at hello@blackdesignguild.org