Group Facilitation in Action

A co-created workshop with opportunities to practice and experience, with feedback and learning from what happens

Facilitation is an art, which when well executed, enables major realisations within those who participate. Facilitation is not about “doing things” but a way of serving, being with people, attending to them, asking effective questions and setting up processes that encourage ownership and empower others.

This highly experiential workshop will use the humanistic/transpersonal model and will include:

Applying facilitative skills when leading groups
Planning and structuring a facilitative programme and ensuring safety
Developing a sense of what is happening in a group, of “group process”
Relating what happens to theoretical models
Enhancing your self-awareness as a group leader
Developing your key qualities as a facilitator
Working with challenging issues
Expanding your range of interventions

Action learning

This workshop will have a strong action flavour, with specific events led by individual participants, who will be allocated activities before the event, with a chance to get feedback and learn from what happens in the group. The intention is to provide a balance between informational in-put, experiential activities involving the group and a range of learning opportunities, along with plenty of opportunity for facilitative practice by members of the group. Periodically the group will reflect on what has been happening for maximum learning.

In practice what will happen during the two days will be co-created and adjusted to the needs of the group and its size, in the spirit of true facilitation.

Comments from participants

"I enjoyed the weekend very much and appreciated the way the course was structured to experientially demonstrate what we were there to learn, very clever! I liked the pace of delivery and the flexibility given to course content and especially enjoyed the natural way in which it was facilitated. I found the workshops very beneficial and I learned a lot from other participants. I really liked the diversity of techniques shown to facilitate a group and I feel more encouraged and inspired to participtate in and facilitate group work in the future". (S.T.)

"I liked the structure. I think it worked very effectively, each person leading a session and then receiving feedback. The different backgrounds and styles made for a very rich learning experience. I think the change in energy with each person helped us to keep focused and energised even when tired. I like your facilitation style, John, I felt safe and that the group was held in the process we were living" (L.D.)

"I found it useful to practice my facilitative skills after such a long time. It helped me gain confidence in my ability and also a chance to learn many more new skills. Whilst I appreciate it is a wide/deep area, it was inteesting to get a taster of it all and observe others in action. Wonderful to see/experience different ideas/styles of facilitating, as well as be involved in the group activities and be part of the group as it evolved! Fascinating experiences as learner, facilitator and participant! Appreciated the feedback too! I also enjoyed meeting like minded people, the location, the venue, and the refreshments! Great two days...and time passed quickly!! I was absorbed in what was going on at the time and everyone was friendly!!". (C.A.)

"Practical and useful, an excellent workshop".
"Very useful workshop, skilfully structured and run. Enjoyable too".
"It was really beneficial and experiential and I had the opportunity to facilitate".
"I felt that you worked with respect and empathy and that you got the level that was appropriate for this particular group...I liked the way that you used process to encourage awareness of process".
"I enjoyed facilitating (inside out) going with whatever the group comes up with...connection/awarenesses of feeling".

Further details

For further details, contact The Empowering Partnership Ltd, 21 Fynamore Gardens, Calne, Wilts. SN11 0UA. Tel. + 44 (0) 1249-813188; or contact us by e-mail:

john.gs@empoweringpartnership.com