21 Young People, 3 Days, 2 Nights: Our CONNECT Retreat 2026
This summer, 21 young people came together for three days and two nights in the Peak District for our 2026 CONNECT Retreat – and what a three days it was.
Based at Lockerbrook in the heart of the Peak District, the retreat was designed to give our young people much more than a few days away from home.
It was about challenge, confidence, friendship, achievement and belonging.
And there was plenty of fun along the way.
From an 8km hike to abseiling
We started with a challenge.
Our young people took on an 8km hike through the Peak District, navigating the landscape together and supporting one another when the hills got tough.
Over the following days, they threw themselves into everything Lockerbrook had to offer.
There was abseiling, weaselling through the rocks, circus skills, team-building activities, football, games and creative challenges.
There was even a Zombie Eggstraction Challenge!
Not every activity was within everyone's comfort zone – and that was part of the point.
For some young people, achievement meant reaching the bottom of an abseil.
For somebody else, it was squeezing through a gap in the rocks they were convinced they couldn't manage.
For another, it might have been joining a group activity, taking the lead, asking for help or simply giving something unfamiliar a go.
Progress looks different for every young person.
More than the activities
Looking back at the photographs, the big activities are easy to spot.
But some of our favourite moments happened in between them.
Young people encouraging each other.
Laughing around the fire pit.
Making flags together.
Sharing marshmallows.
Walking and talking.
Working out how to solve a challenge as a team.
And watching new friendships form between young people who might never otherwise have met.
These moments matter.
Being in foster care can sometimes mean being the only person in a friendship group or classroom with particular experiences.
At CONNECT, young people have the opportunity to spend time with others who may understand some of those experiences without them needing to explain.
They can simply be themselves.
Celebrating achievement
We are also passionate about recognising what our young people achieve.
During the retreat, young people had opportunities to work towards AQA Unit Awards, alongside receiving CONNECT awards recognising their individual achievements.
Because achievement isn't only about being the fastest, strongest or bravest person in the group.
It might be resilience.
Kindness.
Teamwork.
Leadership.
Encouraging somebody else.
Trying again after finding something difficult.
Or doing something you didn't think you could do.
Those are achievements worth celebrating too.
Creating memories together
Our youth engagement work is built around a simple idea: children and young people in foster care should have opportunities to connect, experience new things, have their voices heard and make brilliant memories.
The CONNECT Retreat brought all of those things together.
Twenty-one young people.
Three days.
Two nights.
A lot of walking.
Plenty of mud.
A few nervous moments.
A huge amount of laughter.
And countless examples of young people supporting one another.
We could not be prouder of everyone who took part.
And we're already thinking about where the next CONNECT adventure might take us.
Well done, CONNECT 2026.
