This annual event has become one of the highlights of the Kith year. Each December we gather all our supplies to create beautiful unique homes for our secretive little gnomey pals who take care of the homestead when we’re not around.

This workshop will begin with a reading from our favourite gnome book, then flow into a workshop suitable for the whole family.

With gathered supplies and a special treasure, each child (or grown up) will be able to design and craft a home fit for a gnome.

For ages 2+
£18 per gnome home
£12 for additional homes
You can either make a family gnome home (£18) or individual gnome homes (£18 then £12 for additional gnome homes)
Please make sure to pay accordingly when you book so we know how many resources we need to provide.

What to bring:

Warm clothes suitable for the weather with plenty more layers just in case
Wellies/walking boots
Drinks/snacks for your family (please no nuts)
Grand ideas for your own gnome home

What to expect:

This workshop is very hands on, using natural resources of all different textures. Each individual is invited to create a unique home from clay, wood, moss, leaves, sticks, pine cones, acorns, beech nuts and the like. This is a low-demand environment with options to create and craft around the homestead in a space which suits the individual(s). We’re very dependant on the weather so please keep that in mind when booking.
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Kith Homestead Workshop Cancellation Policy

At Kith Homestead, the safety and well-being of our families are our top priority. Due to the nature of our outdoor workshops, we may occasionally need to cancel a session in the event of extreme weather conditions (e.g., severe storms, heavy rain, high winds, or extreme heat).

• Cancellation by Kith Homestead: In the event of extreme weather, we will notify participants by 8:00 am on the day of the workshop, or in certain circumstances, the day before. If a session is cancelled, we will offer options to rearrange for a future date or apply the session toward another event.

• Cancellation by Participants: If a family chooses to cancel their attendance, please note that no refunds will be issued. However, you may transfer your spot to another family or friend for that session, provided we are notified in advance.

Thank you for your understanding and cooperation in ensuring a safe and enjoyable experience for all!

What is NVC ?

Nonviolent Communication (NVC) is a language for connection

It brings empathy, honesty, strength and compassion into our personal and professional relationships. It can help build bridges of connection between individuals, teams and organisations. NVC provides a structure for open and honest communication. Creating a space where individuals can express their feelings and needs without fear of judgment can be a catalyst for addressing underlying organisational issues NVC is based on the idea that conflicts and misunderstandings often arise from miscommunication and unmet needs. By using NVC principles, individuals can enhance their ability to connect with others, resolve conflicts, and build positive relationships.

The ultimate goal of Nonviolent Communication is to transform communication patterns from defensive and confrontational to open, empathetic, and collaborative. It is widely used in conflict resolution, mediation, and personal and professional development, and it has been applied in diverse fields such as education, healthcare, organizational management and leadership.

Barry says, “NVC consciousness has transformed my relationship with myself, family, friends, community members and people I work with. I’m passionate about connection and collaboration that serves life – it fulfils so many needs for me.”

Prior to founding Communicating with Compassion, Barry gained over 20 years of leadership and operational experience in the public sector in children’s and adults services including Special Education Needs and Disability (SEND), Care Leavers, Children Looked After, Connexions, Programme Management, Strategy and Commissioning.

He has been part of the National Preparing for Adulthood (PfA) Team, as the North East, North West and Yorkshire and Humber regional PfA facilitator, part of the facilitation team for the SEND national leadership training, and a proud supporter of the Time to Talk Next Steps Programme; having good conversations with young people to support good lives.

Barry also works with TSI Online co-founder and Wife Jo. They deliver Training in Systematic Instruction (TSI) to individuals and teams who support people with additional needs to lead good lives: being independent and having a good job.
For more information, please visit https://tsi-online.co.uk

About the Foundation NVC Workshop

• 2 Day workshop 9:30am – 4:30pm
• Our time together draws on the work of Dr Marshall Rosenburg and the Centre of Non-Violent Communication (CNVC) and provides a foundation in NVC.
• We will explore the steps of the NVC process, to listen with compassion to ourselves and others and discover how to express ourselves with honesty and integrity whilst caring for everyone’s needs.
• The course will enable you to start practising using NVC in your daily life, be that whilst at work, in the local community or at home. • The course is delivered in a fun, engaging and experiential way working with examples from participants’ working lives.
• Barry aims to create and maintain a learning environment where we can all learn and practise NVC together.
• Inclusion matters, Barry welcomes anyone no matter how you identify, your background, or access to financial resources. If you have any concerns around inclusion, we would be happy to hear from you.
• To explore together the four steps of the NVC process.
• Learn and practise new and effective compassionate communication skills in a fun, engaging and supportive space.
• To explore with curiosity habitual patterns of thinking, listening and expressing that are likely to be causing pain and suffering for ourselves and those around us.
• Connect compassionately with ourselves and others across our families, communities and teams.
• Support you to understand the things that really matter to you and request those things.
• Practice becoming more present and an effective communicator

This is a good fit for you if:
You are willing to come along for the whole two days.  
You are wanting to develop deep listening, speaking from the heart with honesty and authenticity.
There is openness and curiosity to explore one’s own behaviour and patterns
You are keen to take away your learnings and continue practising by yourself and with others on the workshop

This is NOT a good fit for you if:
You cannot commit to the full two days of the workshop
You are not open to explore habitual patterns of thinking listening and expressing
You are not willing to participate in an engaging and interactive workshop in community with others

Day Information
This training will take place at Kith Homestead. An open, outdoor space set on a Yorkshire hillside. Whilst we have our fingers crossed for kind weather, it’s likely that it’ll be changeable. We ask that all participants come appropriately dressed for the weather with plenty of layers, a flask with a hot drink and shoes suitable for a homestead environment (walking shoes, wellies, trainers are appropriate)
We have a campfire which can be lit to huddle around in case the weather turns and a small yurt space to stay dry.

More information about the two days will be sent on booking or with a request for information at the email below.

NVC Two Day Training Costs
Limited spaces available
£150 per person - please see below for needs-based information

To make the work Barry offers available to as many people and organisations as possible, he take a needs-based approach to money, where everyone’s needs matter. If the cost of the training is a barrier for you (perhaps you would like Barry to receive more, or offer less than requested) please do get it touch. Because it matters to Barry that:

• the work he offers is accessible to everyone and that yours and his (our) needs around financial sustainability are acknowledged

• his energy and work contribute and supports compassionate communication, connection and collaboration

• the energy and work of other NVC trainers with similar offerings is honoured and their needs for financial sustainability are also acknowledged.

To ask for more information or book a space on this training, please email lorna@kithhomestead.com.
You’ll receive a booking form and BACS details to secure a space.