By Comms Unplugged co-creator Sally Northeast
So we come to the end of Mental Health Awareness week for 2025 with its focus on connection. I’ve been thinking this week about why that’s so important and how it’s become a such an anchor in all we do with our Comms Unplugged events and community.
We can all feel alone at times, whether it’s in our personal or professional lives. At work we might be struggling with a tricky project – or person! – and start wondering ‘is it me?’. That’s why having a community of like-minded people is so vital to help keep us all sane in the crazy world of comms.
Of course, the modern comms team tries its best to be connected to the world on numerous channels. But that connection is a bit of an illusion, in reality. Social media, email, Teams chats – they’re all hungry beasts that demand our attention and time and headspace but don’t give that much in return.
One of the things we knew would make a difference when we set up Comms Unplugged in 2017 was cutting the umbilical cord that connects us to our tech, even just for a short while. We figured that once we got people in a back-to-basics environment, surrounded by nature, something magical might happen.
The mad gamble paid off – people were curious, they came along to find out if there was something in this unplugging business. Many were nervous about ditching the phone but within a couple of hours they were merrily chatting away to all the other lovely folk who’d taken the same chance.
And in fact the magic ingredient was connection. We had no idea how powerful that would be when we first had the idea for a professional and wellbeing development event in a field. But there’s something about eating out in the fresh air, sitting round a camp fire, learning without powerpoints and videos, being what feels like a million miles away from all the screens we seem glued to. It unlocks a different part of the brain, helps us to be present and to connect with our colleagues, our environment and ourselves.
When we ask for feedback after each of our events, connection is an enduring theme. So I’ll hand over to our unpluggers to tell you about that in their own words and I’ll hope to #CUinthefield in Scotland this September. Find out more and grab your tickets now!
Comms Unplugged 2019
“Connecting with others and laughing so much more than once, and in one session I nearly fell over with it – joyous.”
“There really is a sense of community at Comms Unplugged, and I love it for that.”
“I think it’s the connections you make with everyone in the field that continue long after you leave, and is still going, 4 years later… priceless.”
“I loved making the connections and sharing stories and advice.”
“It’s a wonderful community and something pretty special.”
“I’m so grateful for the CU community. I feel like I have a network of friends that I can call on for support, career advice and a good laugh.”
“The Unplugged experience builds more than networks – it nurtures relationships.”
“[We were] all there to acknowledge we have shared challenges, sometimes struggle, need to look after each other and ourselves. The community that’s built up now is great to be part of.”
“It’s no exaggeration to say Comms Unplugged has changed my life….It’s given me a confidence I didn’t even realise I was lacking and I’ve made real friends.”
“An instant connection with fellow comms people, they ‘got me’ straight away.”
“I suffer from anxiety and was half excited for this and half terrified. I’m so proud of myself for going and for learning so much – couldn’t have done it without the community even before the field!”
“I really didn’t expect to come back from the field with new friends and the sense of belonging I have now.”
— Monday 12th May —
