Donations & Fundraising
What if more than £1 million is raised?
That would be wonderful news. Even if we reach £1 million, we would still need to borrow some funds to make alterations and operate the centre. The more we raise in donations, the less we need to borrow—meaning that we will have less to pay in interest payments thus making the centre more financially viable going forward. This would also allow us to offer more bursaries, making the retreats accessible to even more people.
If the £1 million fundraising target is raised, will the purchase definitely be going ahead? If it doesn’t go ahead, what will happen to my donation?
The purchase of the property is also dependent on two other factors, a successful pre-planning application, to give a strong indication that we will be able to convert buildings to form part of the retreat centre in the future, as well as agreement from our key stakeholders that Abenhall is the right site for our Community.
If the trustees decide not to proceed with the purchase based on either of these factors, all of the donations raised will remain in the Being Peace Practice Centre restricted funds accounts and go towards the purchase of another site.
What will happen if we don’t reach the target by the deadline? Will my donation still be used as planned? Where did this £1 million figure come from?
Every donation to the Being Peace project is valuable and will be put to meaningful use. The £1 million figure represents an optimal fundraising goal based on our detailed financial modelling. Reaching this target allows us to minimise debt, which in turn:
- Reduces ongoing financial burden through reduction of interest costs, providing more financial stability.
- Creates more surplus funds which enables us to offer more bursaries, making our retreats more accessible
Each donation that brings us closer to our goal means less debt and more resources directed toward our mission rather than interest payments.
Should circumstances prevent the purchase of Abenhall specifically, rest assured your contribution will be directed toward an alternative suitable site that fulfills this vision.
While timelines may shift, our commitment to creating this peaceful sanctuary remains unwavering. Your support is creating a foundation for financial sustainability that allows us to focus on what matters most: making the transformative experience of our retreats available to as many people as possible, regardless of financial means.
Why has the timeline for reaching the £1 million target been extended?
The council has informed us that there will be a delay in the pre-planning application review process for our project. This delay is outside of our control, and as a result, we are extending the timeline for reaching our £1 million target to ensure we have the necessary time to align all aspects of the project.
We are now focusing on reaching our goal by the 16th of April, which the council have committed to deliver their response by, and the trustees will make the decision to sign shortly after. We are confident that this additional time will allow us to better position the project for success.
Is there still time to donate? What if my money is in a notice account and I can’t donate in time for the deadline?
Yes! We are still actively fundraising and every donation, no matter how large or small, will bring us closer to our £1 million goal. We are hopeful that with the extended timeline, we can reach even more individuals and communities who believe in the project. If you’re able to contribute, your support will make a significant difference in helping us achieve our mission.
Please see our major donors page for more details on the different avenues of support you may be able to contribute. If you aren’t able to donate now, but would like to be able to contribute at some point in the future, it is also possible to send us a pledge, which you can also find on our major donors page.
Where has the £500k match funding come from?
An anonymous long standing member of our community generously came forward to offer to match all donations made between 16th February and 16th April. This offer came out of the blue when we were approaching the original deadline date and had just found out that we were able to extend our fundraising deadline.
How will this delay impact the project?
While this delay is unfortunate, it does not change our commitment to the Being Peace project. We are still fully dedicated to the vision of creating a space for peace, inclusivity, and community. The additional time will allow us to continue fundraising and engage with all our partners and stakeholders to ensure the project’s success. We’ll keep everyone updated on progress as we move forward. If you haven’t already, you can sign up to our newsletter here to receive the updates directly to your mailbox.
I am not in a position to donate but I would like to offer a loan. Is this possible?
We are deeply grateful for the support of our community, and to the growing number of major benefactors who have been able to offer substantial amounts to the Being Peace Practice Centre. If you are able to consider offering this kind of transformative benefit, we have several avenues of support available. Among these, we are welcoming friendly loans repayable over 10 years, starting at £5,000. Please be aware that these loans will be unsecured against the property, so it is important that you understand that you might lose your money, although The Community of Interbeing UK (Plum Village UK) will do our best to make sure that this does not happen. Please fill out our form on our major donors page, and one of our team will be in touch with more information.
About the Centre
What were the property criteria for the Being Peace Centre? Why is Abenhall considered suitable?
The property team has spent years searching for a suitable location, with team members visiting over 20 properties in the last four years and assessing many more online. Viewings were guided by a set of criteria developed in consultation with the Plum Village community and approved by our Trustees.
The key criteria included:
- A peaceful environment, free from noise and pollution (e.g., busy roads or agricultural activity)
- Accessibility via public transport
- A beautiful setting without excessive restrictions from National Park or Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty regulations
- High-quality buildings; including listed properties if they provide the potential to accommodate our immediate and long-term needs within existing buildings
- Sufficient land
- Adequate “oven-ready” accommodation for immediate use, with space for future growth
- An accessible location within the UK
None of the many properties the team have investigated has come close to Abenhall in terms of what the site, property and local environment offers. Whilst we acknowledge that the site is further South than we would have liked and outside the area of our initial search, when weighed against the other search criteria and assessing the quality of the buildings, site and local environment, Abenhall feels like an opportunity not to be missed.
Additionally, the current owners have already invested in developing the property as a retreat centre, in a way that aligns closely with Plum Village UK’s ethical and environmental values. Their efforts include:
- Constructing purpose-built, energy-efficient accommodation
- Installing a ground source heat pump and a wastewater treatment plant
In line with Thich Nhat Hanh’s aspiration, we hope that the Being Peace Practice Centre in Abenhall would be the first of several centres across the UK.
How can I stay updated on the project’s progress?
We will continue to keep you updated through our website, newsletters, social media channels and the Being Peace Sunday Evening Online Sangha meetings. You can sign up to our newsletter here.
We go together as a river, and are committed to providing regular updates on fundraising, planning, and any other key developments. You can also feel free to reach out to us directly if you have any questions or want more information on our Contact Form
What else can I do to help?
Aside from making a donation, there are many ways you can help!
You can spread the word about the Being Peace project to your friends, family, and colleagues, encouraging them to get involved. Sharing our updates on social media, attending any upcoming events, or even offering your expertise or time are all invaluable ways to contribute as a volunteer.
If you have any skills that would be useful to share with the project please reach out to us on our Contact Form. We are so deeply grateful for your continued support in any form.
Will the centre be user-friendly for people with mobility/sight/hearing difficulties?
Yes! For example, it will be wheelchair accessible and with the right set-up to support people with hearing difficulties. As soon as we have identified a building, we will be consulting with the various affinity groups in our sangha to make sure the centre is user-friendly, accessible and welcoming for all comers.
Will having a centre mean that we don’t offer retreats in other areas?
We hope to continue with organised retreats in other areas where the demand exists.
How often will there be retreats at the centre?
There will be an annual programme of organised retreats, courses and workshops. We are currently looking at around 48 retreat per year – half of which would be weekend and half of which would be week-long. Local sanghas would have the opportunity to run their own retreats and individuals will be welcome to join our general practice and themed retreats.
Who will run the centre?
A small community of long-term volunteers will live at the centre for up to 2 years, offering continuity of Plum Village practice throughout the year. Visiting teachers will facilitate retreats. The Trustees will be ultimately responsible for the centre, and there will be a small paid team including a centre manager. There will be opportunities for short-term volunteering at the centre and for an engaged wider sangha community in the region.
How will the centre be funded?
The centre will be funded by retreat fees, as well as donations. Our intention is for the centre to be economically self-sufficient (costs are covered by retreat fees) within the first few years.
Our target of £3.7million includes set up and renovation costs that will be incurred in the initial phase of the centre being open.
We expect that the involvement of the widely respected Plum Village monastics will be a significant draw for people wanting to go on retreat.
When will it become a monastic centre?
This will depend on when Plum Village are able to send monks and/or nuns on a longer term basis. The Being Peace project is formally committed to starting a Plum Village monastery in the UK in the long term, however, realistically this may take a number of years.
Will there be a family retreat?
Yes! There will be family retreats each year. We hope to also offer retreats for teenagers and several Wake Up retreats for young adults each year.
Who will teach the retreats?
Visiting monastics, facilitators and UK and European Dharma teachers, support by the resident practice community and experienced practitioners.
