In the midst of a culture of superficiality, the Northumbrian Collective approach is a breath of fresh air. It creates the space to be heard, and to hear the whisper of the divine. It speaks out of a place of deep integrity and prophetic insight.

Simon GoddardDirector, RiverTree Ltd & Pioneer Ambassador, Baptist Union of Great Britain.

What a gift this collective is going to be to those of us striking out on adventures of faith. To have these companions honestly offering guidance, counselling, supervision and challenge on what can be a lonely journey is something I have been looking for and know will be massive gift to many. I’m watching this space intently and looking forward to listening better, thinking more deeply and living more authentically with help from these excellent people and their resources.

Ruth RiceDirector / Founder Renew Wellbeing

We live in increasingly complex days and seeking to be authentic disciples of Christ we need accompaniment on the way and those willing to signpost new directions and possibilities. Kate, Roy and Craig are three skilled, creative and authentic practitioners in helping disciples on the journey. I don't doubt the Northumbrian Collective will be of value to many and I commend them to you as resourceful people full of insights.

Revd Dr Keith G Jones MA FRHistS, President, the Baptist Historical Society. Former Rector of the International Baptist Theological Seminary

I am delighted to commend Roy, Kate and Craig. Each one of them is wonderfully gifted and authentic, with much experience and wisdom to offer.

Lynn GreenGeneral Secretary Baptist Union of Great Britain

The talent and experience on offer here is deep, wide and diverse. Northumbrian Collective is surely going to help loads of individuals, groups and organisations to live with more integrity and generosity in a culture that’s increasingly forgotten how to listen well, think deeply and live authentically.

Bishop John Pritchard

Roy has had a connection with SWYM (South West Youth Ministries) over the last 20 years. Roy has regularly come to deliver teaching on everything from Contemplative Spirituality to New Monasticism and Missional Leadership. Roy is an excellent communicator but more than that an excellent listener showing an interest in the wellbeing of everyone he engages with. This heart connects with whoever he works with whether in a spiritual director or one-to-one context or in a more formal teaching setting. I couldn't recommend him highly enough.

Paul Friend Director of SWYM., South West Youth Ministries

This is a timely new initiative as we face a world of increasing uncertainty, fear and questioning. Three very different individuals are offering their wealth of experience and wisdom to both individuals and groups. I commend them in their desire to help find a way through the confusion we all face.

Sr. Janet ElizabethOrder of the Holy Paraclete

The Northumbria Collective isn't presenting itself as some grand answer to our present moment. But it is an invitation into conversation and listening with wise friends. Roy and I talk together every week from different sides of the Atlantic. One of the things that I know is that our need right now is not for clever strategies or gurus with pied piper answers but the steady wisdom of long experience shared within a circle of conversations. I look forward to what will unfold in the Northumbria Collective - come and be a part of the listening and the conversations.

Alan J RoxburghPastor, teacher, writer and consultant in church leadership, consulting and seminary education.

What I love about this venture is the way it brings the wisdom of experience and friendship together to provide gifts and skills that will help us to live lives that mirror Jesus in the world as we find it today.

Revd. Dr. Liz HoareDirector of Spiritual Formation and Pastoral Care, Wycliffe Hall, Oxford

I am genuinely pleased with the Northumbrian Collective. It is thoughtful and welcoming and will help deepen your ongoing discipleship to Christ.

Richard J. FosterRenovare

Being listened to is a rare and beautiful gift in the midst of a world full of noise. Every time I meet with Roy, I know he listens to me and his questions take me deeper in my spiritual journey.

Margene VesselsNorthumbria Community and Head of Publishing at Alpha USA.

In this time of Permacrisis, where we are all experiencing an extended period of instability and insecurity not only in our nation but right across the world there’s no better time to encourage and offer resources that will enable individuals to listen well, think deeply and live authentically. This new initiative the “Northumbria Collective” is something I’m really looking forward to engaging with as part of my discipleship journey with Jesus.

Andy GloverLeadership Team, Fresh Streams

I approached Kate for spiritual direction having reached a place in my Christian journey where I felt stuck. It had been going on for a year, and I couldn’t shift this feeling of desolation, nor could I understand what was happening. I had no framework whatsoever for the place I found myself in. I knew I needed help, but I also knew I needed it from someone with wisdom and experience who would be able to help me discern the path I was experiencing. Thankfully, Kate was that person! She helped me talk out what was going on and helped me see ways forward. We met monthly, and over time, my joy and excitement in God returned. Talking things through with a mature, listening ear helped immeasurably, and so I can confidently recommend Kate for her spiritual accompaniment, her kindness and compassion and alongside people in prayer.

Kathy Laity

As one of the founders of the Northumbria Community, Roy has spent decades exploring what it is to seek God and live out his Christian faith amidst disorientating and, often bewildering, change. Over the thirty years or more that I have known him, I have witnessed how much Roy’s capacity to encourage and inspire others, through a passionate belief that ‘another way of living is possible,’ has ignited hope in so many places. I heartily commend his wisdom, story-telling and humour as a pioneer, gifted speaker, and creative leader and pray that many will be touched by the fruit of this venture.

Sarah HayOverseer of the Northumbria Community