Think Resilience
Corporate Retreats
Corporate retreats for leaders who understand that employee health and wellbeing is a top priority. Coming Soon.
From the moment you arrive, you will feel a sense of calm, ready to soak up psychological insights into leadership, and exhilarating outdoor adventure experiences in the beautiful surrounding countryside. We are passionate about creating a safe and inspiring learning environment. We understand that people may arrive feeling anxious, or they may be experiencing external stressors. Life happens, and we are there to support your experience, no matter what.
Consider yourself in safe hands.
Scott and Elaine are a real team, who bring their unique skills and experience to offer you a day you will never forget. We share values of inclusivity, adventure and fun.
In a world where 76% of the workforce experiences moderate to high levels of stress at work (Champion Health), the need for innovative corporate away days has never been greater.
This is the core of Think Resilience’s mission – to transform the traditional away day into an extraordinary experience that rejuvenates mind, body, and spirit.
“Good health IS good business.” (Paul Dreschler)
How ‘Creating Compassionate Workplaces’ Can Benefit Your Organisation
There is a strong evidence base for compassionate leadership, leader well-being and psychological safety:
Productivity increases
Improved employee retention / reduced absenteeism
Improved learning and creativity
The retreat itself also offers a safe space to enhance working relationships, and develop fresh perspectives.
Unlocking Team Potential: The Outdoor Assault Course Experience
Our retreats at Whitekirk Hill include an outdoor assault course that is set out to foster deep connections, resilience, and personal growth within teams. Here are some key benefits:
Team Bonding: Solidifies unity and trust through shared challenges.
Morale Boost: Completing challenges elevates team confidence and belief in collective success.
Resilience: Physical challenges uncover personal strength and endurance.
Communication: Sharpens crucial workplace teamwork skills.
Leadership Development: Offers chances to lead, showcasing varied team strengths.
Problem-Solving: Encourages creative collaboration for overcoming hurdles.
Stress Relief: Outdoor activity offers fun and reduces stress, enhancing wellbeing.
Our retreat is set in a luxurious location in the stunning East Lothian countryside, with fantastic views of Berwick Law, Bass Rock, Tantallon Castle and Traprain Law.
Dr Elaine Smith is an HCPC registered Clinical Psychologist, specialising in creating compassionate workplaces. She designs courses for real life impact.
Whitekirk Hill is home to a luxurious spa – with a pool, sauna, steam room and jacuzzi for our participants to end their day in the most relaxing way possible
For Leaders
Our retreat day is designed for corporate leaders and executives/CEOs who want to take their employee wellbeing to the next level. Research has highlighted that for 70% of people, their line manager has a bigger impact on them than their therapist or doctor. This is our ‘why’. Leaders are so influential in our lives. We can support you to make small but mighty changes today, that will have a ripple effect throughout the organisation.
A commitment to employee wellbeing
Our Day Together
Walk
On arrival, we will take a stroll in the grounds, to get ourselves moving and optimise our brains for learning. An excellent way for us to get to know you a little, and bask in nature all at once. There are gorgeous views (weather dependent!), and stunning landscapes to enjoy.
Tea/Coffee Break
When we return, refreshed from outside, we will enjoy a hot drink (or cold if you prefer), and beautiful homemade scones from the Whitekirk Orangery. We really believe in a nurturing environment and we have designed the day with this is mind. Relaxed and ready to learn is a fantastic way to begin.
Dr Elaine Smith – Creating Compassionate Workplaces/or Banish Business Burnout
In the snug, Elaine will lead the session, comprising the three main topics of leader wellbeing, compassionate leadership and psychological safety at work. She is mindful that new information can feel overwhelming, so she encourages frequent movement and short breaks to ensure everyone can remain engaged in the material. The best learning experiences often come from conversations, which Elaine actively encourages. Participants will be provided with workbooks, which will support their action planning, and follow-up journey.
Scott Smith – Wild Cairns
In the afternoon the focus is on physical engagement. Scott leads the group around an obstacle course designed to foster teamwork, communication, and resilience. This engaging activity not only cements the morning’s session, but also strengthens team bonds.
Our experience has taught us that obstacle courses may not appeal to everyone and for those who prefer not to tackle the obstacles directly, we encourage them to play a vital role by offering advice, strategies, and encouragement to their teammates. This inclusive approach ensures that everyone contributes to the team’s successes, experiences and challenges in the way that suits them best.
Spa
After the outdoor adventure experience, participants can visit the luxurious spa to reflect, relax and unwind in the Sauna, Jacuzzi, Steam room and Swimming Pool.
Scott and Elaine are both huge advocates of the mind-body connection, and are delighted participants will have this opportunity at the end of the retreat day. New surroundings can inspire and energise us, and we leave with a new perspective and a spring in our step.
Scott Smith
For the last seven years, Scott has co-owned an outdoor activity centre, home to an assault course that encapsulates his dedication to Team Building, Management of People, and Health & Safety. His involvement in the conception, design, and construction of the assault course, along with his hands-on approach when leading participants, highlights his commitment to creating engaging, safe, and effective team-building experiences.
Scott’s contributions to youth development were recognised with a certificate at the start of 2024 from the Midlothian and East Lothian Chamber of Commerce, underscoring his impact in fostering teamwork and communication skills among young individuals.
An experienced OCR coach who has participated in over 80 obstacle course races throughout the UK, Scott ensures that teams are guided with expertise, safety, and encouragement, making every experience both challenging and rewarding.
Dr Elaine Smith
Elaine has thrived in private practice, and now focuses on corporate wellbeing. She brings her vast professional and personal experiences to offer a fresh approach. She has experienced the highs and lows of leadership like everyone else, and understands the impact that leaders can have on us. Elaine has experienced inspirational and compassionate leadership, but she has also suffered sleepless nights and high anxiety under poor leadership. She understands this is a real life problem, and that when we are stressed, we can behave less compassionately, which can impact employee wellbeing.
Originally, Elaine planned to solely offer Psychological Safety training, but she realised that Leader Wellbeing and Compassionate Leadership work together in harmony to create the inside-out training package that she wishes some of her previous leaders had attended.
Retreat Roundup
Whitekirk Hill is set in East Lothian, surrounded by stunning greenery, and beautiful sea views. It boasts 5 star lodges, the Whitekirk Orangery for gorgeous food, a spa, gym and children’s soft play. It also hosts a park run on a Saturday, so is quite the destination, with growing demand.
We offer luxury transport options, from the airport, train station, workplace or any meeting point. It is important to offer a seamless, relaxing day for those who wish to attend our retreat. Transport will not be a barrier.
For those travelling further afield, we can support requests for accommodation through Whitekirk Hill. Our retreat appeals to international clients, and we can offer additional services and arrange activities outwith our retreat, at an additional cost.
Contact us now to book your transformative retreat.
Testimonials
What a fantastic place to visit.
The course is well laid out with obstacles of differing difficulty and challenges.
The team that run it are friendly and helpful, bringing fun and achievement for my team.
Thanks guys. It was an awesome team building event.
Huge fun. One of the best things to do in East Lothian.
An amazing day. The guys put on the best day for a load of us. The assault course was huge fun and by the end of it you felt you’d really achieved something. Don’t talk yourself out of it because of the weather, it just adds to the sense of accomplishment. I couldn’t recommend this more for a day out.
Cannot rate highly enough !!
Took the Rugby Team for some team building and they’ve made some great memories, all had a great day out. We’ll definitely be back for another go. Thanks again