Monastery Launches NEW Integrative, Holistic Health Conference

The Monastery is proud to announce our first ever holistic health conference here in Manchester, focusing on alternative pathways to health and wellbeing using a range of integrative approaches.

The date for your diary is 9am – 4.30pm on Friday, 5th July, 2024

Wellness hub

The Monastery is a community wellness hub; home to a wide range of therapeutic activities and workshops with a holistic approach. These include our groundbreaking Listening Service, providing free mental health support in the community; Manchester Camerata’s award-winning Music Café, for people living with dementia; free support for people living with COPD; free treatment for those living with anxiety and depression using innovative Alpha-Stim technology, as well as a range of healing modalities, such as trauma release massage, bio-resonance therapy, and various meditation sessions.

Sharing expertise

Having seen first hand the positive and sometimes, life-changing impact of holistic interventions, the time is right to share our findings with the wider community in the form of an insightful conference, open to all those interested in holistic health and wellbeing. Whether you are a health professional, a wellness enthusiast, or someone curious about holistic health, this conference offers valuable knowledge and practical tools to enhance your own wellbeing, as well as that of your clients.

The conference will take you on a deep dive into holistic health, featuring presentations, interactive workshops, demos, research, and Q&A from experts in their fields, as together we explore the possibilities for the future of health & wellbeing.

Speakers

Elaine Griffiths OBE DL

Elaine Griffiths OBE DL is the co-founder and Chief Executive of the Monastery of St Francis & Gorton Trust.

With a degree in Applied Nutrition and a 20 year successful corporate background as a senior sales executive and marketing professional in the food industry, she has followed that with 28 years charitable experience working in heritage led regeneration.

Elaine has raised over £12 million in grants to save Gorton Monastery and established the Trust’s heritage, health, education, cultural, spiritual and community work here in Manchester. Our Modern Day Monastery is now established as a sacred heritage site, an award winning venue and flexible multi-functional site back at the heart of the community once again.

Elaine is passionate about the healing power and potential of heritage buildings and the potential for sacred sites to support our health & wellbeing. She wants to ensure that we can replicate and share all the learning from the challenges and hard won successes of the Monastery story.

Her personal journey and Monastery experiences have led to other advisory and consultancy roles, including a 5 year term of appointment as Chair of the Manchester Cathedral Council and is currently an appraiser for the 2025 Watch List for the World Monuments Fund in New York.

Dr Rosemary Nyabadza

Rosemary is an Integrative Health and Nutrition Coach who has also practiced as a GP in Manchester.

Parallel to her conventional medical path, her personal journey and its impact on her health opened the doors to the realisation that the wisdom and guidance of practitioners from ancient and embodied traditions have indisputable value. This led to her training as an Integrative Health and Nutrition Coach with Active Health Group, in order to give her the flexibility and freedom to bring a more holistic approach to her work.

Dr Jeannine Goh

Dr Jeannine Goh is a psychologist, lecturer and the Co-Director of The Sanctuary at the Monastery, where she founded and created the pioneering Listening Service.

After struggles with her own mental health in her early twenties, Jeannine has dedicated her life to understanding the internal world and expanding peace of mind. After 25 years of voyaging through academia, psychology and numerous esoteric practices, Jeannine is passionate about supporting others who are struggling, by sharing the life-changing practices she has found.

Jeannine is presently laying a path that allows others to find peace but also abundance, joy and liberation.

Richard Johnson

Richard is an Integrative Health Practitioner with over 30 years experience working in the Health and Wellness industry.

Richard works mainly using nutritional therapy for clients with chronic health conditions, and is also Principal tutor on the degree level Nutritional Therapy and Health Coaching courses at Active Health Group.

Richard holds fellowships with the Royal Society for Public Health and the Royal Society of Medicine, with specific interest in food and nutrition.

Allison Angel

Allison’s first hand experience as a recipient of the listening service is what led to her becoming co-director of The Sanctuary at Manchester Monastery.

A social entrepreneur at heart, Allison cares about individuals and communities becoming sufficiently empowered to drive their own development and progress. Her skillset is considerable and wide ranging, thanks mainly to lived experience and a thirst for continuous knowledge and self reflection.

She has specific expertise in business, property and emotional health, and is an advocate for post-traumatic growth.

Allison is a listening pioneer – ready to lead a listening revolution across Manchester and beyond.

Dawn Rothwell

Dawn has worked in the equine, sports and health industry for over 45 years and is a member of the “NASC” (National Association of Sports Coaches) and UKIHCA (UK & International Health Coaches Association).

Having worked with many athletes, senior managers from international companies and many health organisations, she has a wealth of experience with all types of health issues and offers treatment at her clinic located in the Pennines.

Christian Platts

Christian is an Integrative Health Practitioner with over 24 years experience and specialising in Myofascial Release and Internal Family Systems, with a firm belief in the Mind-Body connection.

Christian developed the UK’s first Myofascial Release Diploma, and Vocal Massage course, and continues to deliver this training. Christian has travelled the world to expand his skills and knowledge and is also a trained Sound Therapist and Breathwork Practitioner.

Stephen Allen

Stephen Allen is based at the Monastery as one of our resident bio-resonance experts and offers free health talks plus affordable testing, diagnostics and one to one sessions on a regular basis.

Stephen gained his diploma in osteopathy in 1994 and followed up with postgraduate studies in paediatric osteopathy at the Osteopathic Centre for Children in Harley Street London. His continued studies include homeopathy, acupuncture, psychosomatic training and he has been using bio-resonance therapy for over 27 years.

Stephen’s focus has been on finding solutions for chronic and degenerative conditions including Fibromyalgia and CFS as well as the impact of diet and the potential for nutritional interventions to resolve serious long term health challenges.

Full Programme

Booking & tickets

Tickets cost £55 with concessionary* tickets for £35

*Concessionary rates apply to senior citizens (people aged 60+); disability (those who consider themselves to have a disability); students (in full time education); unwaged.

**Refreshments and an ‘anti-inflammatory’ lunch is included in the price (for specific dietary requirements, please email: [email protected])

Click here to book your ticket

Directions to the Monastery here.

Book Review: Gorton Monastery 1861-1961

Subject: Victorian Manchester; Manchester history; Manchester heritage; Franciscan history.

By Father Justin McLoughlin; reviewed by Janet Wallwork, published 1961 (Historical Reprint Series).

Gorton Monastery 1861-1961: The story of 100 years of the Friary, Gorton, Father Justin McLoughlin, Monastery Publications (Historical Reprint Series), 46p, £2.99. First published in 1961. ISBN 978-0-95714-841-3

In 1861, a small group of Belgian Franciscan Friars arrived in Gorton. Despite having a local Catholic population of just a few hundred and very little money they enlisted the famous church architect, Edward Welby Pugin, to build them a friary and church ‘of cathedral-like proportions.’

Over the next century, they also established three schools and an impressive range of parish organisations – spiritual, educational, cultural, and social.

This little book, written by the archivist of the Order, was published to mark the centenary of the friars’ momentous arrival. It tells the story of the buildings and of the flourishing parish that surrounded them.

Sadly, in 1989 the friars left Gorton and for years the church stood empty and derelict. In 1996, a charity was established – The Monastery of St Francis and Gorton Trust – to raise the funds to rescue and restore the church and friary buildings. It reopened its doors in 2007 with a new life as a community, cultural, and corporate venue.

The Trust obtained permission to reprint Father Justin’s book to commemorate the 150^th anniversary of the day the friars came to Gorton.

Editor’s note: This book – and other Monastery Publications – are available to buy both in our onsite Monastery Shop and via our online bookshop.

G4 Concert at The Monastery: Singing in Support of Missing People

Tomorrow we welcome G4 Christmas by Candlelight at The Monastery and we can’t wait!

Many of you will know G4 who shot to fame on the first series of ITV’s The X Factor in 2004, where they pioneered the world of popular opera. Their exquisite harmonies and unique arrangements of iconic songs such as My Way, Circle of Life and Bohemian Rhapsody immediately captivated the hearts of the nation and catapulted them into instant stardom.

Cynics of these kind of talent shows often see these acts as short-lived one-hit wonders, but in fact several acts have gone on to have long lasting careers in a very competetive industry. G4 are one of those acts, and whilst their journey took many different turns, with the band going their separate ways after a few years of touring and producing sell out albums, on 17th November 2014, they reunited at London’s Barbican Centre to celebrate their 10th anniversary since appearing on The X Factor. Due to unprecedented demand, the band were forced to reconsider the ‘One Night Only’ aspect of the show, and bring their music back to audiences across the UK, which resulted in a 20-date tour.

After the phenomenal reaction to their Reunion Tour to packed houses across the UK, G4 transported their loyal following right back to the moment they first fell in love with G4’s trademark harmonies, reminding all of what was so instantly appealing about this band and their work. Having recreated their unique take on songs such as Bohemian Rhapsody, Circle of Life and Nessun Dorma, they also proved they can tackle the latest chart-toppers including Let It Go, Happy and Uptown Funk in their own inimitable style.

Due to the overwhelming public demand for the group, and having toured their 29-date ‘Back For Good’ tour in 2016, G4 went on to tour their popular ‘Christmas By Candlelight‘ show across the UK in November and December in 14 historic churches and cathedrals, which showcased their first-ever Christmas album.

For the 2019 festive season, they embark on their biggest ever Christmas tour, with 28 dates in stunning cathedrals, and iconic venues including our own beloved Monastery.

Now then…here’s something you may not know about the group. G4’s Christmas tours are always run in association with the charity ‘Missing People‘, who are a lifeline when someone goes missing. Last year’s Christmas tour raised over £14,000 for Missing People and other charities in bucket collections alone, made at the end of each show.

We fully support this wonderfully generous charitable ethos, and being a registered Charity ourselves, we welcome G4 into the heart of our community.

Wishing everyone a wonderful evening tomorrow, from all at The Monastery!

*hot food prepared by our Monastery in-house chefs will be served between doors opening at 6:00pm up to 8:00pm – Mexican Chilli Feast (veg or meat options available) £5 per person.

Accept our invitation