Ben has spent most of his adult life wholeheartedly exploring meditation, Buddhist practice and creative expression.  

He recently spent twenty months as a retreat coordinator at Sharpham Trust’s Barn retreat centre in Devon and he delighted in being able to facilitate people's journeys in discovering meditation and cultivating connection with each other and the natural world.  

In 2017 he completed a one-year internship at Plum Village mindfulness practice centre in France. He shares the practices of singing, meditation and community with a gentle, playful and inclusive approach. 

Ben is also an artist, songwriter, children's book author and trained song therapist. He currently lives at Holy Isle retreat centre in Scotland where he finds joy from being close to nature and being of service to others. He’s been a regular visitor to Holy Isle as both a retreatant and volunteer for ten years. 

Martha met Ben while coordinating retreats for The Barn (Sharpham Trust). They connected over their shared appreciation for, and commitment to Plum Village practices as well as their love for music. After training and working as a primary school teacher, Martha founded a charity in 2015 using music and mindfulness to support vulnerable children emotionally and socially (Mindful Music). Martha is currently finishing a year of service at Gaia House and preparing to refocus on her arts projects which include offering Dinosaur Discos (making costumes out of rubbish to then sing, stomp and circle dance), composing music, print making and ceramics. Martha also curates and facilitates arts activity for all ages and loves to celebrate people expressing themselves, just as they are.