Susie, Belfast

NHS Psychotherapist

Sep 2021

I am just back from my long weekend at The Loft at Druim. I'm a psychotherapist working long days during the pandemic and I honestly felt burnt out close to breaking point through the last few months. Thinking about being at Druim is really the only slice of sanity I had to keep me going through the pandemic. It did not disappoint. Una and Stewart have a kind, friendly and warm welcome waiting for you knowing what you need; with the instinct to know when to give you space to rebalance. Druim has everything you need to find strength and wellbeing again. Rathlin is a magical place and lends itself to healing in the most profound ways. It offers the capacity to centre yourself in a world that is full of stress and chaos. As soon as you step onto the island you will understand it's not something that can fully be described but simply experienced by going yourself. Una and Stewart's calm easy going presence is a marriage made in heaven for the magic that Rathlin offers. I cycled, I read, I meditated, I bird watched, I walked and I explored the island and all its wonders at my own pace with no pressure to be or do anything for anybody. Not many places offer this. To me, in the work I do and the busy lifestyle I have, I cannot thank Una and Stewart enough for handing me back my sense of self and strength again. I suggest you stay at least three nights to fully benefit from the wind down and how being at Druim can soothe you. Now thanks to Rathlin and Una and Stewart, I feel like I can jump back into the world with confidence and energy once more

Joan and Nathan

Person with complex needs and their carer

Aug 2021

Nathan and I were so delighted with the accessibility of The Cabin. We were thrilled to see how much space there was to move around in the bedroom, ensuite and kitchen. Una and Stewart are fund raising to install a hoist and shower/changing bed. This will accommodate other users like Nathan who have complex, physical personal care needs. Above the cabin, nestled in the treetops, Druim has a luxurious and cosy Loft to facilitate carers/parents. I am excited to return and watch the wildlife from its views.

Family Living with Autism. 2019

From the point of view of parents with children on the spectrum, we loved the apartments and the quietness. I wish we had more time to spend on the Island as we really enjoyed the break”. The wildlife is amazing, we observed large birds of prey hunting from our window; enjoyed the puffins, guillemots etc accompanied by a rich cacophony of sound and smells at the bird sanctuary.. We watched large hares both lazily enjoying the sun and racing across the fields at high speed. Sean 2019. Our walks were constantly filled with the almost forgotten sound of songbirds and the sweet smell of wild flowers, especially the honeysuckle. C&G 2019