Kendal Encounter 2027
A person-centred encounter group in the heart of Kendal
Friday 25 – Sunday 27 June 2027 · The Castle Centre, Kendal · £110
Twenty people. One room. No agenda.
Picture a circle of chairs on a Friday evening in June. Nobody is quite sure who will speak first. Then someone does. And by Sunday afternoon, that room of strangers knows something real about each other.
That is a person-centred encounter group. No syllabus and no set exercises. Just a group of people, two facilitators and the time and space to meet each other honestly.
Kendal Encounter brings this experience to the edge of the Lake District for one weekend in June 2027.
Is this for you?
Kendal Encounter is open to anyone genuinely interested in person-centred encounter. Most people who come are:
- counsellors and psychotherapists in practice
- counselling and psychotherapy students
- educators and others following the person-centred tradition
- people curious about Carl Rogers' approach to groups
You don't need to have been in an encounter group before. You only need to be willing to show up as yourself.
What happens over the weekend?
Honestly? It depends on who comes. The group decides where it goes. Will and Dave don't steer the conversation or run exercises. They offer the core conditions Rogers described: genuineness, acceptance and empathy.
People often talk about:
- what they feel, right now, in the room
- how they relate to others in the group
- things they rarely say out loud
- what it is like to be heard without being fixed
You choose how much to share. Sitting quietly and listening is also taking part.
The weekend at a glance
When
Friday 25 – Sunday 27 June 2027
Times
Friday: 7 PM–10 PM
Saturday: 9 AM–10 PM
Sunday: 9 AM–4 PM
Where
The Castle Centre
Castle Street
Kendal
Price
£110 for the whole weekend
Group Size
Up to 30 places
CPD
Certificates of attendance will be provided
Lunch isn't provided, but Kendal's cafes are a short walk away. Refreshments are available at the venue. The group is non-residential, so you'll need to arrange your own accommodation.
Your facilitators
Will Stillwell
Facilitator
Will Stillwell, Ph.D., is a long-time member of the professional-personal community, The Center for Studies of the Person, in La Jolla California.
Dave Rutlidge
Organisor & Facilitator
Dave Rutlidge has been a person-centred advocate for 20 years and has organised and run person-centred encounter groups and similar events since 2014.
Between them, Will and Dave have around 60 years of experience of person-centred practice.
Why Kendal?
Kendal sits on the River Kent, at the south-east gate of the Lake District. It's easy to reach by train from Manchester, Lancaster and the rest of the North West, and close to the M6.
It's a small, friendly market town. Step outside at a break, and you're among limestone streets, riverside paths and views of the fells. It is a good place to slow down.
Book your place
There are about 30 places, and they're given on a first-come, first-served basis. The price is £110 for the whole weekend, paid securely online by card or bank transfer.
Please read the Booking Terms before you book. Places are non-refundable
Got a question first? Call Dave on 07760 116 985 or email [email protected].