Associate Alumni Jodie Cole reflects on the Co-Creation Retreat

In August 2025 we delivered a co-creation retreat over 4 days in the Kent Countryside. Bringing together former associates from the Associates Leadership Programme (ALP), stakeholders, and AHI staff members. ALP is the first cultural programme in history for creatives who are or who have been homeless. 24 associates have completed the programme to date, and this year AHI intentionally paused to reflect, evaluate, and co-create the next phase of delivery.  

Each cohort of ALP was represented at the retreat; Cohort 1 – Surfing Sofas, Cohort 2 – Nell Hardy, Cohort 3 – Jodie Cole.  Across the last three cohorts 79% of feedback in the AHI ALP Evaluation Report 2022-2025, written by Gill Taylor, is that the programme is cited as highly valued and impactful to associates, with several respondents reflecting on the programme as transformative and life changing. 

“I read about the programme and just knew it would change my life for the better. It’s truly one of the most amazing things I’ve been part of”. 

In the same report, an associate’s experience was described: 

“Being part of the cohort helped her recognise and reflect on her lived experience and gave her the confidence to speak openly about it. Through the programme, she developed a stronger sense of authenticity in her work, reducing the exhaustion of “masking” and making the most of her unique strengths. The Associate program created space for shared leadership and collective responsibility, making it less isolating and more collaborative” 

The aim of the co-creation retreat was to discuss evaluation, insights, and ideas for the next phase of ALP whilst also giving space for everyone to rest and reflect in the beautiful Kent Countryside.  

As I arrived at Bore Place, an organic farm in Kent, I was greeted at the door by surround sound birdsong, the tinkering of food being made in the kitchen, a note explaining where to go and what to do, and an array of linen bags, with the retreat participants names on. I picked mine up, found my room, and excitedly shuffled my hand deep in the bag to find lavender spray, multicoloured pens, hand cream, and the all-important lollipop. My chest softened at this gesture. I opened my window, collapsed on my bed, and stared at the ceiling assured I was in the right place despite my anticipation and nerves. Care. It goes such a long way.  

The schedule was a mixture of work, rest, and play. What a delight! And the team, an array of wonderfully talented lived experience creatives. I was in equal parts excited and anxious to get to know everyone and get stuck in. We were all there to work; to evaluate and reflect. But there was equal time given to come together or spend time alone as we needed. As a freelancer, this kind of work structure is such a rare gift.  

The team; Ronnie, JP, Samantha, Bekki, Nell, Surfing Sofas, Daemon, Samra, Katie, Matt, Gill, Chloe, Natasha and myself. Poets, designers, actors, cyclists, dancers, theatre makers, mothers, producers, artists, facilitators, composers, evaluators, and chefs. Which brings me to the food. OH, the FOOD! Huge props must go to Chef Daemon, feeding us the most delicious and heart-warming fresh plates of foody love and care. All together a rich mix of talent and tenacity, and I feel so proud to have been part of this team.  

One morning I led some dance and movement on the lawn. We expanded and contracted, shifted and giggled, reached and connected. Movement is my medicine, and it was a privilege to move collectively in the summer morning sun before we got down to the business of evaluation.  

Onto the work! Sitting together, in a circle, with people who share similar experiences, to digest and vocalise our thoughts and feelings, for me, is potent and essential to recovery. To be working in this way, with peers on the co-creation retreat is transformative. In the retreat evaluation 100% of respondents said it was extremely/very important to be in community with others with similar experiences. In addition, the structure of the retreat had a restorative impact. 

“I loved the opportunity for ‘creative rest’ and to spend time in curious and critical reflection with so many brilliant minds and hearts”. 

Together we discovered the need to be bolder and more ambitious by expanding the programmes relationships with local and national arts organisations. Involving our programme partners more fully by welcoming them into the process sooner, explaining the role of partner organisations more clearly, and creating in person opportunities to connect with the team and associates.  

We also discovered that we need to revise our well-being offer in response to associates requests, being clearer about its limits and reviewing when different typesof support might be most impactful to associates. In addition, we understood the need to attach placement offers directly to residencies, jobs, or funding opportunities to provide more meaningful engagement for the associate. Again, in the AHI ALP evaluation report Gill states; 

 “The evaluation of the Arts & Homelessness International Associates Leadership Programme recognises a resoundingly impactful, transformative and pioneering initiative. There is strong support from all involved parties for the programme to continue and to retain the key pillars of co-creation, creative budgets, showcasing and community-building”. 

Evaluation and reflection on the retreat also included Lego. Excellent news for my neurodivergent brain. We created our dream workplaces, and I called mine, The Beautiful Mess. Hoping, that as a sector, we can embrace the mess and challenge that comes with trying to challenge the spoken and unspoken systems that are holding us back.  

After all this reflection, it was of course time for food and letting out hair down. We shuffled into the lounge and in teams made glitzy and sparkly craft beings with lollipop sticks, glue, fluffy baubles, googley eyes and feathers! We played games aplenty; arms flailing, faces contorted, and belly laughs galore as we tried to guess the famous people from the pieces of paper in the hat! Fun! We had lots of fun!!! 

I recall spending an afternoon walking around the fields, taking in the plants in the polytunnels and remind myself that one day I would love to grow my own veg. I sat at the top of the field, looking over the Woodlands and a black cat came towards me, we purred in satisfaction together in the soft evening air. I reached out to touch it, but the cat squeaked and jumped and ran off, reminding me that sometimes we all need a bit of space.  

During the retreat we recognised that the programme needed a refresh in response to associate and partner feedback, a few ways in which AHI will adapt the programme in 2026 include: 

• A co-creation retreat/intensive 

• An optional mid-point ‘scratch night’ to work towards the ALP final showcase 

• More content/training on arts administration 

• Clarifying our definition of leadership, and providing more leadership skills building content 

• Reviewing our approach to payment description to reflect professional practice and differentiating between ‘funded training’ and ‘paid work’ on the programme. 

• Investing in the partnership opportunities more intentionally. 

• Formalising an ‘Alumni Pathway’, to describe the opportunities available to associates upon leaving the programme.  

 It was a successful period of work, rest, and connection! 100% of retreat respondents said yes to a hosting co-creation retreat for ALP 2026. Why? The value of coming together in this way is vital: 

“The genuine connections formed with others — the sense of belonging, shared understanding, and new friendships that blossomed so naturally. Being surrounded by people with similar lived experiences created an atmosphere of trust and authenticity…. Every element — from access to nature, creativity, mindfulness, and pause for reflection, to the space for dreaming and co-creation — played a role in deepening those connections. It felt like a place where voices were heard, energy was restored, and purpose was reawakened, together”. 

Photo credit by: https://www.beckymursell.com/ 

Back to News.