Mothering the Mother
A restorative day for mothers to soften, exhale, and be cared for — without needing to care for anyone else.
13th March 2026
At Champneys Forest Mere - 9:00-18:00
If you’re feeling tired, stretched thin, or like you’re constantly holding everything together for everyone else while quietly putting your own needs to one side, this retreat is for you.
With Mother’s Day approaching, this is an invitation to reframe what that day can mean — not just celebrating others, but allowing yourself to be nurtured too. Not another thing to organise. Not another role to fulfil. But a chance to pause, soften, and be cared for.
The Mothering the Mother Retreat is a women-only day retreat — a safe, supportive space for mothers to rest, move gently, breathe deeply and feel held in the company of other women who understand the complexity, beauty and weight of motherhood.
Come on your own (many mothers do), or share the day with a sister, friend, your own mother, or someone who has mothered you along the way.
For mothers, by mothers — a day to be held, not to hold.
Hosted by Michelle Norton-Hughes (Women’s Health Physiotherapist and Mummy MOT Practitioner) and Laura Neilson (Matrescence & Women’s Wellness Coach), combining gentle movement, honest conversation and nurturing circle space — all designed to support the physical, emotional and identity shifts of motherhood.
What it’s All about
This retreat is designed to help you:
• step out of constant “doing” and into simply being
• feel supported in the physical realities of motherhood — from pelvic floor and core connection to easing everyday tension
• reflect on the identity shifts that come with matrescence in a safe, understanding space
• reconnect with the woman within the mother
• leave feeling steadier, softer and more resourced
Everything is guided with warmth, professionalism and deep respect for your lived experience. You are always invited to take part in a way that feels comfortable for you — there is no pressure, no performance, and nothing to prove
You’ll enjoy:
Welcome refreshments and a light breakfast
A guided women’s circle morning, including matrescence/ motherhood coaching, reflective practices, grounding techniques and gentle restorative movement
Physiotherapy led women’s health education and self-care guidance tailored to the physical shifts of motherhood
Time for deep rest and nervous system reset
A nourishing three-course spa lunch
Free time to enjoy the Champneys spa facilities (steam, sauna, jacuzzi, pools, hydrotherapy and relaxation spaces)
Opportunity to book an optional 1:1 beauty or spa treatment directly with Champneys
A thoughtfully curated take-home retreat gift, plus special touches from Champneys or partner brands where available
Champneys tote bag and flip-flops to keep
Use of robe and towel for the day
Michelle Norton-Hughes
Hosted by Michelle
Many of the mothers Michelle supports have spent months — sometimes years — prioritising everyone else. They’ve adapted to pelvic discomfort, scar tightness, abdominal weakness, back pain or bladder changes, often assuming it’s just “part of motherhood.”
As a Women’s Health Physiotherapist and Mummy MOT Practitioner, Michelle specialises in helping mothers understand what’s happening in their bodies and feel confident in their recovery — whether that’s healing after birth, reconnecting with their core and pelvic floor, or simply feeling more supported in their everyday movement.
She is also the co-founder of FLY Mama, a maternal wellbeing platform created to support women through pregnancy, postpartum and beyond — bringing together movement, education and community so that mothers don’t have to navigate it alone.
Michelle’s approach is grounded, compassionate and evidence-based. She doesn’t ask mothers to push harder or “bounce back” — instead, she creates space for understanding, restoration and steady rebuilding.
During the retreat, she will gently guide restorative movement, practical education and simple self-care techniques designed specifically for mothers — including scar awareness, pelvic floor connection, tension release and whole-body reset practices. Everything is invitational, accessible and designed to help you feel more at ease in your body.
Laura Neilson
Co-Hosted with Laura Neilson
Laura is a Matrescence & Women’s Wellness Coach who supports mothers through the emotional and identity shifts that come with motherhood.
She works with women who may feel lost in the transition, stretched between roles, or unsure who they are becoming. Laura creates calm, reflective spaces where mothers can pause, untangle their thoughts and reconnect with themselves beyond the daily demands.
Her approach is warm, steady and deeply compassionate — blending guided conversation, reflective practices and women’s circle work to help mothers feel seen and understood.
At Mothering the Mother, Laura gently holds space for honest reflection and shared understanding — reminding you that your experience of motherhood, in all its complexity, is valid.
The Setting
Held at the beautiful Champneys Forest Mere, this retreat takes place in one of the UK’s most peaceful spa destinations — surrounded by woodland and a tranquil lake. It’s the perfect place to step away from the noise of everyday life and give yourself genuine time to restore.
To reserve and book your space please email me and pay via bank transfer.
Women’s Health: Mothering the Mother Retreat
Friday 13th March 2026
£180 (Champneys Members £130)
TESTIMONIALS FROM PREVIOUS RETREATS
““The day was enlightening and freeing!
I have never experienced anything like it before”
““The highlight for me was meeting other women in beautiful surroundings and being able to be so honest with them and not feeling judged.””
“The combination of the three morning workshops really complimented each other and helped me reach a very deep connection with my body and emotions.
Following the retreat I had two very significant dreams where I let go of toxic relationships. I had similar dreams before but this time I was in full control and calmly said no and walked away. It was very cathartic.”
If you any further questions or would like to book please contact me via email using the link below or Call / What’s App Michelle on: 07971172116
