What does it mean to be truly whole? For your mind, body, soul – the unique essence of you – to flourish and thrive?
Our vision at St Peter’s House is that ‘Everything is Connected’ – and nowhere is that seen more clearly than in our Wholeness programme. We take a holistic, a ‘whole’, approach –
believing that all life has infinite worth, and seeking to be a place where people flourish and
live life in all its fullness.
(*please note, due to covid restrictions many of our activities are paused or have moved online. They will resume as soon as we can re-start in a safe and meaningful way.)
Ever wondered what happens in a hive? We care for two bee hives on the roof of St Peter’s House, and offer the opportunity to come and learn all about these curious littler buzzers! We run courses to learn the basis of bee and hive care, and – when you’re ready – take you up to help care for the bees.
When it comes to well-being, sometimes there’s nothing quite like getting outside and getting your hands dirty. One of our key commitments is sustainability and living gently on the earth, and tending our green space fits in here (and it keeps our bees happy too!) We have allotments and a hidden garden behind St Peter’s House, and gather weekly to sow some seeds and pull some weeds together.
If you’d like to drop-in, get in touch by using the button below:
An opportunity to learn pro-baking skills alongside our Head Chef in our professional kitchen, we’ve found that this offer to come and be surrounded by cake-y smells and sweet treats is a popular weekly session. If the kitchen is your happy place, you’ll understand the mood-boosting benefits of mixing flour, eggs and sugar and – as if by magic – beautiful bakes to share. We bake with volunteers to resource Milk & Honey café, but during lockdown have redirected our resources to created The Well.
Want to know more? Get in touch by clicking the utensils below:
Over the past few years we’ve worked with hundreds of volunteers from all over the world! Most of our volunteers Many have been students from the Manchester universities, and many others have been from a range of partner organisations and charities.
We’ve provided trainee placements from young people who’ve not had the same opportunities in life as others, have retired volunteers who bring a wealth of experience to our team, and even have some volunteers who began as students and are now lecturers on the University staff!
When lockdown happened, life went digital – including our Wholeness Programme. During this time we have recorded and curated an online library of Studio Sessions – all freely available to all our online visitors, and offered as an integral part of The Well.
Our diverse sessions are unique and nurturing, focussed on restoring and honouring wholeness in the full human experience. The full range of our Wholeness Studio Sessions are accessible to all, and encompass embodied practices (such as yoga and pilates), meditations, explorations of faith, arts-based responses to the unique situation and more.
We look forward to the day we can deliver our classes and session face-to-face in the Wholeness Studio again, but in the meantime offer our online library of content alongside our Live programme.
Suitable for all. Enjoy, my friend.
Pretty much beginner, may as well have a go if you’re fit and well
A bit of a step on, but you may surprise yourself. Sit out anything you’re not sure
about.
Do this if you know your way around a yoga mat.
You know you’ve got this.
Step away from your computer, and put down your phone… This class will teach you skills that you can break down and use in smaller sections throughout your day, or enjoy in this longer sequence designed to help your muscles and mind unwind from the stresses of desk- based life. Your twenty-first century body, all scrunched up and stiff, will thank you for it. (42 mins) Level 2
Covid has caused a cuddle-catastrophe. Everyone needs hugs to release oxytocin – the famous ‘cuddle hormone’ that helps us feel good and keeps our bodies happy. With self- isolation and social distancing – where is the love?! This session teaches self-massage to soothe our lonely souls and simple yoga practice to bring a sense of peace. (42 mins) Level 2
All balled up with grudges, niggles and gripes? Or maybe you’re carrying a really deep anger - at a person, at the world, or at how things are turning out this year. Either way, we carry it in our bodies, and it’s not good. This session incorporates meditation and simple yoga moves to allow us to begin to explore and release some of these strong emotions. (52 Mins) Level 2
Having trouble winding down? This session is designed to help you switch off and ease into a good night’s sleep. Using gentle movement and with focus on the breath, the session uses accessible and simple yoga practices to gently move our wired up bodies into a deep place of relaxation. Sound good to anyone? (50 mins) Level 2
There are 42 individual muscles in the face. I wonder how many of them you are tensing up even whilst reading this on a screen? These short sessions will relax, mobilise and increase blood flow round your face and neck area. Do it at your desk, on your sofa… but maybe not on the bus (silly faces are involved.) (15 mins) Level 1
There are 42 individual muscles in the face. I wonder how many of them you are tensing up even whilst reading this on a screen? These short sessions will relax, mobilise and increase blood flow round your face and neck area. Do it at your desk, on your sofa… but maybe not on the bus (silly faces are involved.) (15 mins) Level 1
In this practice, Amy focuses on the breath to explore a range of sensations within the body. Gentle and accessible, this session will help you switch off from distractions as you become fully present - taking time to notice what’s going on with you right now. (20 mins)
You’ll relate to this story, and the need to learn to accept things as they are. (7 minutes)
This story asks what risks you have been afraid to take so far? (20 mins)
What kind of counter-culture could we create if we treated each other with respect, honour and wonder? (10 mins)
Azariah draws on Cherokee tribal wisdom to point to the battle waging in all of us. (3 mins)
Azariah shares what makes him not fit the template, and why the world needs people who see the world in unique ways right now. (4 mins)
Over these meditations, Selena explores the Chinese concept of Wuxing – a flow in which the five elements of nature work to generate and overcome each other. Recorded in both English and Mandarin, the meditations draw on both ancient Chinese and symbolism from other faiths to explore how this concept works for our well-being. (30 mins)
Over these meditations, Selena explores the Chinese concept of Wuxing – a flow in which the five elements of nature work to generate and overcome each other. Recorded in both English and Mandarin, the meditations draw on both ancient Chinese and symbolism from other faiths to explore how this concept works for our well-being. (35 mins)
Over these meditations, Selena explores the Chinese concept of Wuxing – a flow in which the five elements of nature work to generate and overcome each other. Recorded in both English and Mandarin, the meditations draw on both ancient Chinese and symbolism from other faiths to explore how this concept works for our well-being. (30 mins)
Over these meditations, Selena explores the Chinese concept of Wuxing – a flow in which the five elements of nature work to generate and overcome each other. Recorded in both English and Mandarin, the meditations draw on both ancient Chinese and symbolism from other faiths to explore how this concept works for our well-being. (50 mins)
Over these meditations, Selena explores the Chinese concept of Wuxing – a flow in which the five elements of nature work to generate and overcome each other. Recorded in both English and Mandarin, the meditations draw on both ancient Chinese and symbolism from other faiths to explore how this concept works for our well-being. (30 mins)
Over these meditations, Selena explores the Chinese concept of Wuxing – a flow in which the five elements of nature work to generate and overcome each other. Recorded in both English and Mandarin, the meditations draw on both ancient Chinese and symbolism from other faiths to explore how this concept works for our well-being. (20 mins)
Over these meditations, Selena explores the Chinese concept of Wuxing – a flow in which the five elements of nature work to generate and overcome each other. Recorded in both English and Mandarin, the meditations draw on both ancient Chinese and symbolism from other faiths to explore how this concept works for our well-being. (22 mins)
Over these meditations, Selena explores the Chinese concept of Wuxing – a flow in which the five elements of nature work to generate and overcome each other. Recorded in both English and Mandarin, the meditations draw on both ancient Chinese and symbolism from other faiths to explore how this concept works for our well-being. (22 mins)
Over these meditations, Selena explores the Chinese concept of Wuxing – a flow in which the five elements of nature work to generate and overcome each other. Recorded in both English and Mandarin, the meditations draw on both ancient Chinese and symbolism from other faiths to explore how this concept works for our well-being. (30 mins)
Over these meditations, Selena explores the Chinese concept of Wuxing – a flow in which the five elements of nature work to generate and overcome each other. Recorded in both English and Mandarin, the meditations draw on both ancient Chinese and symbolism from other faiths to explore how this concept works for our well-being. (23 mins)
This practice is as old as time can remember, a practice that utilizes waveforms and frequencies similar to those of our own physiology. Craig Winterburn is an IPHM Approved Holistic Therapist and in this video, he provides meditation and reflection to help align the mind for the full gong bath therapy session. (6 mins)
Using an ancient meditation created by St. Ignatius, Ben leads us through an exercise in imagining ourselves into another story. Using Christian scripture, Ben Invites us to allow our minds to wander. Who will you encounter, and what words will you hear on your journey? (11 mins)
"I'm not an expert", begins Ben...and loads of us aren't, but meditation can be a brilliant tool to add to your 'wellbeing tool-kit' at times of stress, anxiety or pretty much anytime. Ben talks us through the basics and starts from the beginning, before guiding us through a short meditation - perfect for newcomers to this peaceful practice. (18 mins).
Pilates is all about strength, balance and alignment, and have we ever been in more need of being strong, well-balanced and getting things a little more lined up?! This session gives you the chance to do something for yourself – Stand taller! Better equipped to face the challenges head-on – whilst taking time for yourself in these energising classes. (45 mins)
Pilates is all about strength, balance and alignment, and have we ever been in more need of being strong, well-balanced and getting things a little more lined up?! This session gives you the chance to do something for yourself – Stand taller! Better equipped to face the challenges head-on – whilst taking time for yourself in these energising classes. (38 mins)
Pilates is all about strength, balance and alignment, and have we ever been in more need of being strong, well-balanced and getting things a little more lined up?! This session gives you the chance to do something for yourself – Stand taller! Better equipped to face the challenges head-on – whilst taking time for yourself in these energising classes. (34 mins)
Pilates is all about strength, balance and alignment, and have we ever been in more need of being strong, well-balanced and getting things a little more lined up?! This session gives you the chance to do something for yourself – Stand taller! Better equipped to face the challenges head-on – whilst taking time for yourself in these energising classes. (37 mins)
Hatha Yoga is an ancient spiritual practice that looks to strengthen, balance and harmonize the energies of the mind and body. Join Esmeralda in her class focused on delivering one of the more deeper, spiritual practices of yoga. (46 mins)
Hatha Yoga is an ancient spiritual practice that looks to strengthen, balance and harmonize the energies of the mind and body. Join Esmeralda in her class focused on delivering one of the more deeper, spiritual practices of yoga. (45 mins)
Hatha Yoga is an ancient spiritual practice that looks to strengthen, balance and harmonize the energies of the mind and body. Join Esmeralda in her class focused on delivering one of the more deeper, spiritual practices of yoga. (42 mins)
Hatha Yoga is an ancient spiritual practice that looks to strengthen, balance and harmonize the energies of the mind and body. Join Esmeralda in her class focused on delivering one of the more deeper, spiritual practices of yoga. (46 mins)
"Intentional exposure to a sound bath brings an enhanced awareness of senses which can be applied to everyday life challenges and pleasures." As part of our wholeness studio, we invited Craig Winterburn to offer two gong bath workshops. Craig is an IPHM Approved Holistic Therapist in Manchester and these classes send you on a journey to help your mind, body and soul, relax and rejuvenate. (38 mins)
"Intentional exposure to a sound bath brings an enhanced awareness of senses which can be applied to everyday life challenges and pleasures." As part of our wholeness studio, we invited Craig Winterburn to offer two gong bath workshops. Craig is an IPHM Approved Holistic Therapist in Manchester and these classes send you on a journey to help your mind, body and soul, relax and rejuvenate. (32 mins)
(4 mins) Leading up to Christmas, we wanted to release something special. We decided to produce a spoken word around the tales of perseverance, reflection and hopefulness. A time in need of a better story.
(4 Mins) All Will Be Well. We displayed the words of Julian of Norwich on the side of St Peter's House as reminder to all that indeed, all will be well. This video features Hannah's spoken word to mark the beginning of the academic year and the start of St Peter's House COVID-19 response project, The Well.
Love what we’re doing at St Peter’s House? Want to keep connected and find out about what we might do next?
Sign up to our Newsletter and we’ll keep you updated with our plans, thoughts and musings. On top of this we’ll send you our tastiest new recipes from The Well – all freshly devised and waiting to get onto the Milk & Honey café meu when we re-open – and new classes, podcasts and blogs as we create them for our Wholeness programme! We’ll also let you know about any opportunities to volunteer, future Milk & Honey café news, and ways you can support us in our work.
Are you the brilliant person to join our team and help us communicate digitally to the student
community about all that is happening at St Peter’s House? We have many exciting plans to
and we need someone to help us get the message out there!