Since 2018 more than 1,000 guests from our partnered charitable organisations have joined us on the island for week-long restorative stays. Their time on the island is spent connecting with themselves, the land, and the people around them. The life of the island - and the island itself - create an atmosphere of quiet usefulness, peace, safety and challenge. The impact on our guests can be profound, and often they return to their public service roles restored and resilient. Our guests find respite and grow more resilient through meaningful contribution towards our restoration efforts, by connecting with nature in Tanera’s regenerated wild places - and by experiencing our welcoming communal spaces.
From thatching, to vegetable gardening and creel pulling, path building to tree planting, Tanera is a busy place. Our charitable guests can decide which activity they’d like to get stuck into. Or they can decide to spend time on their own, in nature, walking the island paths.
Guests gather at our beautiful communal eating spaces to eat delicious, nourishing food - some of which has been grown, cooked or preserved here on the island. Eating together - breaking bread - deepens bonds and gives people time to share their island experience. Like all the island activities, if our guests want to get involved in cooking, they are welcome to.
Together with past guests and volunteers, we have built xx miles of footpaths around the island. Walking them alone or in company, our guests can spot wildlife, experience views of the island and - the mountains beyond it - and get closer to our restoration work. Outside they may experience the full force of the island elements. Inside they feel the deep comfort of Tanera’s buildings.
Our resident writers and visual artists enable charitable guests to make pictures, poems, prose and more in a relaxed, inclusive way. We have made a beautiful studio at the Herring Station. Usually our guests’ creative output is inspired by the island.