As social and political divisions intensify across communities, many of us are asking how to stay grounded, connected, and effective when our communities or workplaces are divided. This one-day workshop invites you to explore the practice of what we call the Radical Centre; not a political middle ground, but a place of moral courage and curiosity. It is “radical” because choosing to listen, to build trust, and to stay in dialogue is countercultural in a climate of outrage and certainty. Drawing from our long-standing peacebuilding practices, this training offers a structured yet reflective pathway for those who wish to build social cohesion, nurture trust, and model a new kind of leadership for divided times.
The day is interactive and experiential, weaving together input, discussion, research, and small-group dialogue. You will experience practical tools that help individuals and groups move beyond polarisation and find shared ground, while also engaging with the deeper systemic dynamics that shape division in society. Our educational input will offer grounding by exploring David Goodhart’s theory of the ‘anywheres’ and ‘somewheres’, More In Common’s groundbreaking research on political tribes, echo chambers and epistemic bubbles, our LEAP-IN dialogue framework, research tools and profiles of reconciling leaders. Our interactive group exercises will provide the space to apply these ideas in real time in your own personal conflicts.
This workshop is both practical and visionary. You will leave not only with new skills, but with a renewed sense of hope in the possibility of dialogue. The Radical Centre invites us to resist binary thinking and to inhabit a deeper moral landscape — one where empathy and truth can coexist. For professionals working in communities, institutions, or movements, these capacities are no longer optional: they are essential for building trust, cohesion, and resilience in an age of fragmentation.
This training is designed for facilitators, mediators, educators, faith leaders, organisational coaches, and anyone seeking to foster constructive dialogue across difference. It is suitable for both emerging and experienced practitioners who wish to deepen their practice with tools for depolarisation, group process, and conflict transformation.
Drawing on St Ethelburga’s 30 years of peace-making experience, this day offers practical tools and reflective frameworks for holding conversations that cross divides. It combines inner work with interpersonal skill-building, helping you strengthen both your capacity and confidence to engage across difference. At St Ethelburga’s, we combine peacebuilding, spirituality, and systems thinking to cultivate leadership fit for turbulent times. Our learning model balances inner development with outer practice — nurturing the presence, curiosity, and humility that enable authentic dialogue. This training is facilitated by Rebecca Brierley and Harriet Terrill, who bring years of experience working in community reconciliation and viewpoint diversity.
Wednesday 11th February 2026
Thursday 7th May 2026
Friday 25th September 2026
Thursday 12th November 2026
The environment and group dynamics felt very safe and supportive, and the overall facilitation was modelled in a very helpful way. I cannot wait to put into practice what I learnt!
It was once again wonderfully restorative to be at St Ethelburgas for a day amongst people I so much respect in this field of working with polarisation and community differences. I appreciated permission to engage at my own comfort level with such complex topics.
Rebecca leads on our community reconciliation programmes: managing Journey of Hope with our Reconcilers Together partnership, and facilitating our Conflict Coaching, Facilitation Training, Listening Processes, and Peacemaking workshops. With over 20 years of experience in community based reconciliation, training, facilitation, activism and mentoring, Rebecca has a passion for curating spaces that encourage understanding and enable shared wisdom and for equipping and inspiring faith leaders to restore relationships. She holds accreditation in restorative justice, trauma informed practice, mediative facilitation, nonviolent communication and is currently studying Spiritual Direction. She moved from California to London in 2001 to study at the London School of Theology where she received her BA in Theology & Worship. Her past employers include Oasis Trust, XLP Youth Charity, and Tearfund. She lives in South London with her husband and twin daughters. rebecca.brierley@stethelburgas.org 07453287925
Harriet is working on our Moral Courage project, helping to conceptualise and organise our events and programmes for this theme. She also writes and designs new content for our social media platforms and is helping us to grow our online presence. Harriet is particularly interested in viewpoint diversity from a peacemaker’s perspective. Harriet is also working on an event series that seeks to find new ways to approach conversations that are often difficult, controversial and conflict-ridden.