Do you agree, that a Team Bonding Trip is a good idea? You can organize it affordably and effectively without an agency by bringing your colleagues to Wern-y-Cwm

These are our recommendations for putting on a great event:

1. Set Clear Objectives: Identify your goals before you consider the agenda. (We are happy to work with you to come up with ideas and weave them in.)

2. Find the Budget: Consider using the savings from downsizing your office, or dip into your training or entertainment budgets. (Self-catering is cost-effective if ordering from our Farm Kitchen food delivery, or consider a full board stay with us catering for you.)

3. Choose the Right Venue: Select a venue that is easily accessible for most of your team, and with the facilities you want. (Abergavenny is easy from London and Manchester by train, and the SW and Midlands by car). They must offer what you are looking for with both the facilities and the organizational help or permit you to be self-sufficient if that’s what you need.

4. Plan the Work Agenda: Balance fun with objectives to keep focus. (We can provide meeting setups for all group sizes and there are plenty of quirky breakout areas – think amphitheatre, around the fire pit or greenhouse/conservatory for a start.)

5. Incorporate Group Activities: Include team-building exercises that encourage collaboration, such as a treasure hunt, or shared experiences like hikes, cold-water swims, or a gong bath.

6. Schedule Downtime: Allow time for team members to recharge and get time alone to call home, catch up on urgent work, or enjoy time alone in their property sitting rooms or private garden areas.

7. Encourage Everyone to Share: Create a relaxed space, like around the fire of the Great Barn, for all team members to express ideas and feedback. Pair different grades to work together to create the content, achieving a balance of different viewpoints.

8. Plan Meals and Tea Breaks: It's great to eat together, maybe picking or foraging your ingredients (possibly as a team activity), cooking and washing up too. Remember the various dietary requirements and vary the meal locations and menus to keep each meal exciting – rather than repeating the same (boring) format. (Consider picnics, kitchen supper, sharing plates, and a last-night banquet in the Great Barn.)

9. Document the Trip: Capture moments with photos and videos. Encourage journaling to share experiences across the team, making sure content comes from all levels – juniors to board. Encourage honest open conversation without hierarchy.

10. Collect Feedback and Follow-Up: After the trip, gather input on what worked and how to improve, reinforcing connections made during the experience. Consider a recap presentation to share highlights and plan future activities based on feedback.

Ideally, your team will learn, have fun, form friendships, and take these experiences away to enhance productivity, collaborative thinking, and team morale. Plus of course, look forward to the next team bonding trip which encourages your colleagues to stay longer with the business. Enjoying time at work with colleagues is vital.

Happy teams mean good business.