Questions, answered.

Brother Nature is for men of trans experience, aged 25 and over, at any stage of transition and any presentation. Every man who attends is received as a man, without question or condition.

This residential is explicitly for trans men. You can read more on our Who It's For page.

We've chosen to offer this residential to men 25 and over because many LGBTQ+ residentials and community spaces are aimed at young people, and the opportunity for support and community space tends to fall away after 25. We're here for the men that gap leaves behind. If you're currently under 25, we look forward to welcoming you when you reach that age.

Yes! Brother Nature is for trans men at every stage of transition, including men who have not medically transitioned, do not want to medically transition, or are unable to access medical transition. We recognise every man's relationship to his body, identity and transition is different.

At Brother Nature there is no hierarchy of maleness.

No. Brother Nature is a residential specifically for trans men. We deeply value our transmasculine and non-binary siblings, but this particular space has been created to meet the experiences and needs of men.

Dedicated spaces created specifically for trans men remain extremely rare, and places on the residential are limited. You can read more about why we've chosen to keep this space exclusively for men on our Who It's For page.

For those who are not yet 25, or who are not men, we've put together a list of some of the many brilliant communities and events across the UK that we hope you'll find welcoming and supportive. If you're unsure whether Brother Nature is the right fit for you, or would like help finding another event, please get in touch and we'll do our best to point you in the right direction.

• Gendered Intelligence – Summer camps and residentials for trans, non-binary and gender-questioning people under 26
• Sparkle Weekend – Events for the entire trans, non-binary and gender-diverse community
• TransBareAll – Events for all trans people
• Queer Spirit Festival – Festival for all LGBTQIA+ people and their allies
• Out & Wild Festival – Festival for LGBTQ+ women and non-binary people
• Loving Men+ – Events for GBTQ+ men and non-binary people
• The Radical Faeries of Albion – Camps and gatherings for LGBTQIA+ people
• Camp VC (Wales) – Community camp for women and non-binary people

No. This residential is designed specifically for men of trans experience aged 25 and over and is not open to cisgender men.

This isn't because cisgender men are unwelcome. The residential exists to create a rare opportunity for men of trans experience to spend time together without needing to explain, defend, or contextualise our experiences.

Brother Nature's first residential will take place over four nights in spring or summer 2027 at a private venue in the Forest of Dean. Our venue is now confirmed, and we're finalising exact dates.

Complete our Register your interest form and let us know which timeframe would suit you best. We'll use that to help confirm final dates, and you'll receive the booking application and updates as soon as they're released.

To apply for a place, first complete our Register your interest form.

Registering your interest does not affect your chances of receiving a place. It simply ensures you receive the booking application and all important updates when they're released.

When applications open, everyone who has registered their interest will receive the booking application by email, along with the closing date and full pricing information. The application window stays open for several weeks. There is no advantage to applying early, as your application is considered equally whenever it is submitted before the deadline.

Once applications close, all submissions are anonymised before places are allocated. Identifying information is removed so that selection is as fair and unbiased as possible. Places are then allocated by anonymised random lottery.

Places are limited. A small number of places are reserved for disabled trans men, trans men of colour, and older trans men, men who often face the greatest barriers to participation and who remain significantly underrepresented in LGBTQ+ spaces and wellbeing provision. Every reserved place is part of how we build a residential that genuinely reflects our community.

Accessible rooms are allocated separately from both the general ballot and any reserved-place process, so requesting one will not reduce your chance of receiving a place.

Applicants who are not initially selected are placed on an anonymised randomised waitlist. If a confirmed place becomes available, it is offered to the next person on the waitlist.

We'll send reminder emails as the application deadline approaches, a midway reminder and a final reminder around 24 hours before applications close, so you have every opportunity to apply in your own time.

Follow us on Instagram @brothernaturenetwork to stay up to date with residential news, application announcements and project updates.

Brother Nature recognises that systemic inequalities can create financial barriers to accessing spaces like ours. To help make the residential more accessible, we use a sliding-scale pricing model.

Full pricing will be available on our website shortly.

Our aim is to keep every pricing tier below the typical cost of comparable residentials while covering accommodation, meals and workshops.

A limited number of bursary places will be offered as far as our funding allows.

A limited number of bursary places will be offered as far as our funding allows. You'll be able to let us know more about the financial support you need when you register.

For bursary questions, you can also email bursaries@brothernature.co.uk.

Brother Nature receives payment via bank transfer.

Please note that an offer is not a confirmed booking. A 25% deposit of your selected sliding-scale contribution (or agreed bursary contribution) is required to confirm your place.

The remaining balance is due no later than one month before the residential begins. Participants are also welcome to pay in full upon accepting their place.

If we are able to offer you a place, full payment details will be included in your confirmation email.

Your place is confirmed once we have received your deposit.

If you need to cancel your place, please let us know as soon as possible. Refunds will depend on when we receive your cancellation and whether we are able to offer your place to someone on the waitlist.

If you are unable to attend because of illness or exceptional circumstances, we'll always do our best to be fair and compassionate while recognising the costs already committed to running the residential.

Our full cancellation and refund policy will be published before bookings open.

All meals are vegetarian or vegan, freshly cooked and included.

We take dietary requirements seriously, including coeliac disease, allergies, intolerances and autoimmune conditions that affect diet. We collect detailed information in advance, including cross-contamination requirements, and work with the venue and caterers to plan safely.

Where a requirement needs particular care, we will speak with you directly before your place is confirmed.

The venue has accessible parking, and all workshop rooms and shared indoor areas, including the dining areas, are step-free. All facilitated workshops will take place in step-free spaces.

The fire circle and key parts of the outdoor grounds can also be reached without steps.

The wider site is large and includes flat areas, slopes, uneven ground, paths and some steps. Some outdoor routes have noticeable inclines and may be difficult for some people.

Four rooms are set aside for men with access needs: one step-free, wheelchair-accessible bedroom with a wet room; one room reached by two steps down to its entrance; and two rooms reached by three steps down to their entrances.

If you would like photographs or more information about routes, gradients, rooms or particular spaces before deciding, email access@brothernature.co.uk.

Full details can be found on our Accessibility page.

Yes. Due to the focus on wellbeing and connection, this residential is a sober space. No alcohol or recreational drugs are permitted on site.

Yes. There is good Wi-Fi across the site, which may be important if you need to stay in contact with a carer, use health apps or reach support while you are there.

Yes. If you're attending with friends and would like to share a room, we'll do our best to accommodate your request. We'll ask about room preferences during registration, although we can't guarantee every request due to room availability and accessibility needs.

No. There are no single-occupancy bedrooms.

Most bedrooms sleep two or three men and are en-suite. There is also one larger room for up to six men, with bathroom facilities directly beside it.

We understand that shared accommodation may involve access, privacy or sensory considerations. You can tell us about your needs during registration, and we will talk through the available options with you where necessary.

Yes, provided your partner is also attending the residential as an individual participant and meets the eligibility criteria.

We encourage everyone, including those in relationships, to use the week as an opportunity to build relationships across the wider community. We ask all participants to remain mindful of shared spaces and the experience of the group as a whole.

If you'd like to share a room, we'll do our best to accommodate your request, although we can't guarantee this due to room availability, accessibility needs and the overall balance of accommodation across the residential.

No. All workshops and activities are optional. There is no expectation to take part in anything, or to continue taking part once an activity has started.

Consent can be withdrawn at any time during any workshop or activity. You can step out, pause, or stop participating at any point.

We want men to use the week in whatever way serves them best.

All workshop facilitators are trans men.

They stay for the whole residential and, when they are not leading something, they take part alongside everyone else.

They are here as community facilitators rather than therapists or clinicians. Workshops sit within clear safeguarding structures, but Brother Nature does not provide one-to-one or group therapy.

A full packing list will be sent to everyone before the residential.

In general, you'll need comfortable clothing suitable for workshops and outdoor activities, weather-appropriate clothing and footwear, toiletries, any medication you require, and anything else that helps you feel comfortable during your stay.

The nearest train station is Gloucester. We run a complimentary shuttle from the station to the venue, so you do not need to arrange the final part of the journey yourself.

Full travel information and directions will be sent to confirmed attendees.

To protect the privacy, safety and comfort of everyone attending, the exact venue location is shared only with confirmed participants.

If you need the exact location or further access information before confirming your booking, contact access@brothernature.co.uk.

Yes. We ask everyone to take a lateral-flow test for Covid before travelling.

Please stay home if you test positive, or if you have symptoms of Covid or another contagious illness.

This helps protect the whole community, particularly disabled and immunocompromised men.

We will review this policy before the residential and communicate any updated health measures in advance.

Yes. Smoking and vaping are permitted in designated outdoor smoking areas. They are not permitted inside any buildings or during facilitated workshops. We ask everyone to be considerate of other participants and the venue.

Brother Nature is a facilitated peer-community residential. It is not a therapy programme, medical service or substitute for individual care.

The residential will have a dedicated safeguarding lead, clear safeguarding procedures and a team who care about every man who comes through the door.

If something feels difficult, you can speak to a member of the team. They can listen, help you take a pause, find a quieter space, think through practical options or help you raise a concern.

This is emotional and practical support within the residential. It is not counselling, crisis care, medical treatment or ongoing one-to-one support.

We are not able to provide personal care or the specialist support somebody may need during an active mental-health crisis.

We say this to be honest about what the residential can safely hold, so you have the information needed to decide whether this is the right time for you to join us.

If you are unsure, talk to us and we will be clear about what we can and cannot provide.