Gather Kindling
A series of curated getaways for mamas & their little ones.
I created Gather Kindling from a deep longing—a vision of a place where mothers are not forgotten, where they are held just as tenderly as they hold their children. A space to nurture the nurturer. Where mamas and their little ones can experience the wild together, side by side, embraced by nature and a loving village.
Our children are the little fires of the earth, sparks of life that we must tend to with care. We gather the kindling, stoke the embers, and watch as they grow bright and strong. I have witnessed this magic firsthand while raising my daughter in the surrounds of Meadowsweet Retreat. I have watched her thrive—learning to forage at just one year old, picking mushrooms with wonder, sitting at the heart of singing circles, carried joyfully from one open-hearted soul to another. She moves through the forest with reverence, placing her hand on trees, closing her eyes, and whispering Om. She finds tiny pools at the base of chestnut trees and swears she sees fairies bathing in them. She perches in the kitchen, the trusted taster and mixer, learning from the hands that nourish us all.
These moments, these experiences, have shaped her into a child full of love, connection, and deep care for the world around her. She amazes me every day. If I can offer even a glimpse of this to other mothers and their little ones—if, for just a few days, they can rest, be held, and feel the warmth of a village—I will know that this fire, this vision, is burning bright.
This is Gather Kindling. A space to nurture, to be nurtured, to tend the flames of our little ones and ourselves.
With love, Anya x
mama, what awaits you?
Mornings begin gently with guided yoga, breath work, and sharing circles, creating a peaceful start to the day. While mothers engage in these nourishing practices, our loving "aunties" provide childcare and lead Waldorf-inspired activities for the children between 8-11am. Afterward, we come together for a wholesome, nourishing lunch, followed by an afternoon filled with bonding time and nature-inspired activities.
Whether by beach, mountain, or lakeside, the retreat experience immerses you in the beauty of the natural surroundings, with seasonal activities tailored to the location. You can explore lush forests, swim or kayak in pristine waters, or join in activities like guided foraging walks, herbal medicine making, or simple playtime with your little one. Every moment invites you to connect deeply with nature and with one another.
In the evenings, we gather with the children for songs and bedtime stories beneath the stars. Once the little ones are peacefully asleep, mothers are invited to unwind with nurturing rituals and healing practices designed to restore and rejuvenate.
Each retreat may vary in location, size, and team of facilitators, but the core experience remains the same: a deeply supportive space for mothers to recharge, bond, and reconnect with themselves, their children, and the healing power of nature.
our upcoming retreats
Gather Kindling offers you the gift of time – time to connect, to rest, and to share in the simple magic of community and nature.
Our upcoming retreat is in Sweden at a beautiful lakeside villa surrounded by forests carpeted with wild blueberries on 11-16th August 2025.
what mamas are saying
“After my first retreat at Meadowsweet I knew that I wanted to go back. When I realized that Anya was hosting the last retreat in Tuscany, I felt called to be there for it. I can't explain why, I just knew I needed to be there. I brought my 17 year old this time, as I wanted her to also feel the energy at Meadowsweet. It was the most spiritual experience I've ever had. With every song we sang, every walk we took in the forest, I felt closer and closer to nature and a deep healing began. I connected with people in a way that was so raw and real, which isn't something that I do very often. As we stripped away our inhibitions and sang at the top of our lungs and danced to the beat of the drums, I felt my heart soften in a way that it hasn't in many years. I feel like I will be connected to the friends that I met there for a lifetime. There is no way to truly explain what being in that environment does for your soul, all I can really say is that everyone deserves this kind of healing experience.”
— Fianna, 2024
“My heart is full I can't believe that we left this magical piece of land two weeks ago today. I thank you and your family for your open hearts and arms, your hospitality, your knowledge and that I was able to experience this retreat with my daughter. The Folk & Fungi Retreat and all of the people have taken my connection to fungi and especially myself to the next level. My HEART is full and open.”
— claudia, 2024
“We attended their first ever Seed to Plate permaculture, foraging, wild medicine retreat, and to say it was life changing would be an understatement. Being able to bring our 2 year old Lyla alongside it made it even more powerful, and really helped us put our dreams into reality and allowed us to visualise what we want our life to look, feel, and smell like. Being welcomed into their incredible haven in the middle of the forest in the mountains of Tuscany was such a gift.
We left feeling empowered, inspired, motivated and fuelled to go out there and create this reality for ourselves, for our daughter and future babies. Nothing seems more pressing to me than creating a reality where we can nurture, grow and become more self sufficient. I wasn’t sure what to expect and I can truly say it was the best thing we did this year.”