Life A Plenty – 2024/2025 Impact Report
Life A Plenty Charitable Trust – 2024/2025 Impact Report

38 women found
a way forward

Five therapeutic retreats across the Bay of Plenty, supporting women through grief, stress, and rebuilding – with measurable, lasting change.

38
Women
5
Retreats
4
Cities
97%
Positive change
⚖

I'm a funder

Outcomes, reach, and lasting impact.

⚕

I'm a health professional

What happens on retreat and how to refer.

❤

I'm considering a retreat

What it's like, and other women's experiences.

Measured outcomes

The shift happens in five days – and it holds

Participants rated how often they experienced exhaustion, hopelessness, negative thoughts, worry, and overwhelm. Toggle between timepoints to see the change.

On arrival, the majority of participants reported experiencing these feelings most or all of the time.
Multiplier effect

Investment in one woman reaches her whole whanau

Three months later, participants described positive change rippling into their families and relationships.

HerParent–child 35.5%Self 33.9%Wider family 16.1%Partner 11.3%
35.5%Parent–child relationship improved
33.9%Relationship with self improved
16.1%Wider family relationships improved
11.3%Partner relationship improved
3.2%Reported little change
Reach

Who we serve

Women referred from across the Bay of Plenty and southern Waikato, spanning ages and backgrounds.

Region

Ethnicity

Age range

Referral growth

Expanding pathways into the programme

44 referrals in the first six months of 2024. Counsellors remain the primary source, with growing awareness among GPs and health services.

I came here, not because I am weak. I came here because I have been strong for too long without rest. I am ready to heal.
Retreat participant, 2024
The retreat programme

What your client will experience

Five days of facilitated therapeutic workshops in a small group of eight women, with two experienced facilitators.

Facilitators adjust workshop content to each group's needs. Mindfulness, self-compassion, and boundaries are consistently rated most helpful.
Evidence of change

Does it work?

Participants self-report on five wellbeing indicators at three timepoints. The improvement is immediate and sustained.

On arrival, the majority of participants reported experiencing these feelings most or all of the time.
This retreat has taught me so many things that I did not know before. I have learnt how to cope with my stress and my grief. This I will take with me through the rest of my life.
Retreat participant, 2024

Refer a client

We accept referrals from counsellors, social workers, GPs, psychologists, and health practitioners across the Bay of Plenty and southern Waikato.

Refer a client
What to expect

A week for you

Five days away from everything, in a small group of women who understand. No judgement. Real tools. Time to breathe.

5

Days

A full week of rest, reflection, and learning – away from daily pressures.

8

Women

A small group, carefully selected. You won't be lost in a crowd.

2

Facilitators

Experienced, warm, and there for you. People alongside you.

9

Workshops

Mindfulness, boundaries, self-compassion, grief, goal setting. Things you keep.

In their words

What other women say

Every woman arrives nervous. Every woman leaves different.

I feel like I can finally breathe again, feel so grounded, and the amazing women here have made me laugh so much – I have found my silly side again.
Retreat participant, 2024
It lasts

Three months later, women still feel the difference

We check in with every woman three months after their retreat. The tools stay with them.

Most women report spending more time on their own wellbeing and coping better with challenging situations three months after the retreat.

Could this be for you?

Talk to your counsellor, GP, or support worker about whether a Life A Plenty retreat might help. You don't need to have everything figured out first.

Find out more about our retreats

Download the report

The full 2024/2025 report as a PDF.

Download PDF

Refer a client

For health professionals.

Referral information

Donate

Help more women access life-changing retreats.

Support our work
Life A Plenty Charitable Trust – supporting women's wellbeing across the Bay of Plenty.
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