THE RETREAT.

Mon 20 Jul – Thu 23 Jul 2026, Somerset, England.

“Joyful, restful and restorative!” BDG retreat attendee.

Applications closed

Application Deadline: 10 April 2026

Three days to ground yourself as a leader of research and design for positive change.

WHAT YOU GET

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Space to breathe.

We’re crafting a retreat that allows you to centre care for your heart, mind and body as you begin your learning and leadership journey. The retreat will be a space where we invest in you, giving you the time to pause, heal and get the grounding you’ll need as you grow.

Space to ground.

Our amazing team of facilitators will help you explore what leadership might look like for you. They’ll help you to find alignment and build tools and capacities that will help to ground and strengthen your foundations, giving you a strong base from which to continue growing as a leader.

Space to nourish.

The ethos of the venue we’ve chosen focuses on using deep intuition, ancient tools and shared knowledge to create a space where people can learn, heal and grow. As part of that, they’re committed to nourishing visitors inside and out with their balanced, connected and restorative approach to food.

Space to learn.

We’ll spend time learning how to listen to ourselves, our bodies and our minds as future leaders. We’ll also spend time looking honestly and openly at our strengths and our areas for growth.

Space to connect.

We know how hard it is to make progress and thrive in a sector that is structurally set up to hold you back. You’ll connect with peers who are on a similar journey. We’ll guide you to unlock the benefits of this support, rooted in shared experiences and an ambition to flourish.

With reflection, rest, and realignment woven throughout the whole experience, this retreat has been expertly designed to help you lay foundations as you begin your leadership journey.

FAQs

  • You’re eligible to join the Guild retreat if you’re part of a current BDG cohort. To apply to join a cohort you must be:

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    👉🏾 A Black person working in or around research and design.

    Your current UK-based role might be user researcher, design researcher, UX researcher, service designer, UX designer, design strategist, programme designer or you might be working in an innovation team.

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    👉🏾 A junior-to-mid level role and want to find a route for progression.

    You’re early on in your career and hoping to progress fast into more senior roles. You might have between three and eight years of experience in research and design roles (give or take). Or you may have more years of transferable experience, but are finding it hard to land yourself a job at the level you deserve.

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    👉🏾 Working in areas focused on positive social change.

    You have a passion for social change. You work in or around non-profits, civil society, voluntary, social, community or governmental organisations. You might work in a charity, trust, foundation, agency, consultancy, studio, B-Corp, or governmental organisation.

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    Not sure you’re the right fit? Get in touch.

  • Unfortunately not. The retreat is designed to kick off each BDG cohort. If you’d like to apply to take part in the 2026 cohort you can register your interest here.

  • Unfortunately, the application deadline for the Black Design Guild 2026 cohort is 10 Apr 2026.

    If you missed this, unfortunately we won’t be able to offer you a space.

    Please register your interest in the Black Design Guild 2026 cohort here, for updates on future retreats and more.

  • We only have 10 spots on the BDG 2026 cohort.

    When you apply your application will be reviewed by the Black Design Guild Team.

    If you meet the eligibility requirements above, we’ll be in touch to arrange a 20 minute call to learn more about you and why you want to join.

    We’ll then be back in touch if you’re selected, to invite you to join the cohort.

    We’ll let you know by around 25 May 2026, to give you enough time to plan time off for the retreat and make any other arrangements.

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    If you’ve not been selected this time, we’ll be in touch to let you know, and share a little bit about why.

  • This is a fully funded retreat.

    Each place on a BDG cohort costs about £10,000 per person (around £5,000 of that on the retreat). This cost is fully covered by the Black Design Guild.

    We will cover your travel, food and accommodation, so there is no cost to you attending, except for your energy, commitment and time!

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    Note: you’ll need to take at least four days out of work to join the retreat.

  • This is a retreat for 10 UK-based Black researchers and designers who are working in and around non-profits, civil society, voluntary, social, community or governmental organisations.

    We anticipate that the group will include a mix of research and design disciplines but that everyone will be unified by taking a design thinking, human-centred approach to their work.

    We’ll also be joined by facilitators and any speakers (who may also stay overnight) and the members of the Black Design Guild Team

  • To be announced! Once everything is confirmed, we’ll share more details with you here.

  • We’ll share more logistical details with those who are selected. Your travel costs will be covered.

  • We’re committed to making sure that everyone can access and fully participate in the retreat. The venue and retreat programme have been selected and will be designed with this in mind.

    If you decide to attend the retreat and have accessibility requirements, we will work with you, the venue and the facilitators to ensure the spaces, activities and content are fully accessible.

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    Please note: accessibility needs will not impact your eligibility to join us at the retreat.

  • We’ve chosen a venue that not only brings the vibe and energy we’re after, but also has enough space for everyone attending to have their own room.

  • We understand that care responsibilities can often be a significant barrier to attending programmes like this, however, we strongly encourage you to still apply.

    If you’re selected and this is something you need support with, we’ll work with you to find a solution to support your attendance.