One of the lasting benefits of a Skyros holiday is the friendships that develop that sometimes last for life. This deeper connection is evident even between individuals who have shared the Skyros experience although they never actually met each other there.

These friendships are often maintained long after the holiday has ended. People meet not just for a night out, but they often joint events or organise reunions. The latter range from dinner in a restaurant or a party to long weekends in the countryside. Many also continue with their œkos groups as a means of bridging the gap between the holiday and everyday life. One such group, in Bristol, has been meeting for ten years – 'we’ve survived weddings, divorces and even death, and we’re still going on', they said.

One place for such reunions is The Grange on the Isle of Wight which people join for short breaks. Its weekend courses, run by Skyros facilitators, are offered to ex-Skyros participants at a 10% discount.

In what looks now as the distant past ex-participants had formed the Skyros Club which, based in London, held various events ranging from parties, lectures and workshops to outings in the countryside or visits to theatre shows. The idea was revived a few years back as other ex-participants have formed a Friends of Skyros grouping, the main purpose of which is to keep the Skyros spirit alive through an ever renewed commitment to the Skyros principles.

A section of the Skyros website is devoted to this work to enable individuals in various parts of the world to make contact with each other. What this contact will produce is up to the individuals concerned. They could just meet for a drink or dinner, but taking it further they could go for a weekend in Paris or join various activities, perhaps a day at the Hay Festival, a run for charity purposes or a Halloween horror show for the benefit of the neighbours! Likewise, there could be a workshop with one of the Skyros facilitators – perhaps a raqs sharqi, a comedy improvisation or a weekend yoga session.

More importantly, the Friends of Skyros can help to set up local œkos group to provide a platform for honest communication between people, support the drive of its members to fulfill their potential and also help to revitalise the community and bring back our sense of common purpose.

‘Change your life in Greece. Amazing things happen on Skyros - just ask the visitors who return again and again.’ Bella magazine

‘I can't recommend the holidays enough - it revitalised my approach to life.’ Zoe Badcock, The Guardian

‘Before I went, people said to me 'Things happen on Skyros'. I felt that you couldn't go somewhere with that kind of expectation but, emotionally and spiritually, the impact of the holiday was enormous. It was inspiring. Surprising. More than I could have expected. Against the odds – namely my own cynicism, doubts and reserve – I gained an insight into me and the way I want to live my life. Back in the real world, this sort of thing gets lost all too easily under everyday stresses and other people's expectations, but having had that clarity once, I knew I could have it again: I knew I had it in.’ Olivia Mackinder, Body & Soul Escapes

‘I felt inspired and optimistic about the future and what I could make of it. I'd relaxed, had fun and learnt new skills. Best of all was the simple realisation that I had it in me to feel good about myself.’ Leah Hellen, Top Santé

‘Going on the holiday gave me the confidence to make some decisions. When I got back I moved jobs, moved flat and got my motorbike licence. But the most rewarding aspect was the friends I made.’ Judith Linder, The Observer