In this current time of social division, we are noticing that it can feel harder and harder to bring people together where strong differences exist. People might feel hesitant to gather groups or struggle to feel confident in their facilitation. This one-day workshop offers a chance to slow down, to connect, and to learn how to hold a group well. Drawing on St Ethelburga’s distinctive approach to facilitation, rooted in reconciliation and peacemaking, the day combines practical skill-building with inner work and reflection. It invites participants to explore what it really means to be an authentic, grounded facilitator, one who can host meaningful conversations even when emotions run high or values collide.
The day will be highly experiential, weaving together teaching, demonstration, dialogue, and embodied practice. You’ll have opportunities to try out techniques, share experiences, and explore your own style and values as a facilitator.
Expect warmth, curiosity, and a supportive space to experiment, learn, and reflect.You’ll also experience many of the participatory methods used in St Ethelburga’s transformational programmes - designed to bring people together across difference, nurture community resilience, and build trust even in uncertain times.
By the end of the day, you will:
You do not need to be an experienced facilitator to attend. Whether you are completely new to this work or seeking to deepen an existing practice, this day will offer tools, perspectives, and encouragement for your journey.
Anyone who convenes conversations or leads groups — whether in community, organisational, educational, or faith-based contexts. Including:
Facilitators, mediators, and group hosts | Community leaders and organisers | Educators, trainers, and youth workers | Faith and interfaith leaders | Social entrepreneurs and changemakers | Anyone seeking to foster connection, understanding, and collaboration in divided times
At St Ethelburga’s, we see facilitation as a practice of peace — a way of embodying the values we wish to see in the world. We understand that real dialogue is not about agreement, but about presence, curiosity, and connection. Our facilitation approach sits at the intersection of inner work and outer service. It invites us to prepare not just our session plans, but our spaces, our relationships, and ourselves.
I really appreciated the structure and pace of the training. It afforded time for action, reflection, and a variety of learning styles. I found the content accessible and user friendly and was able to learn the practical elements of facilitation. And even more importantly, I was able to understand the emotional and cognitive considerations for self and others in facilitation that are incredibly valuable.
The facilitators were very attuned to the needs of the groups and gave plenty of opportunities to ask questions throughout the day. They all made me feel very welcome even though it was my first time visiting the centre and doing a course on facilitation.
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 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.
Jo is Programme Manager of People of the Earth refugee programmes St Ethelburga’s. She collaborates with individuals and organisations to bring refugee and non-refugee together building empathy and understanding one conversation and one action, at a time. She hosts and co-ordinates events to promote inclusion and leads on the production of Listen to the World Open Mic. A programme where themes of home, displacement, belonging and community meet through music and the traditions and talents of migrants and refugees find a home among local artists. Jo has worked in the non-profit sector for over twenty years. She holds a BA (Hons) in Education and a Diploma in group facilitation, conflict resolution and counselling (NAOS).
Tarot is Co-Director of St Ethelburga’s. Previously COO, she played a key role in developing our deep adaptation, sacred activist, and refugee camp volunteering programmes. She is currently developing an exciting new strand bringing communities together to create nature corridors across large tracts of farmland. At this time of ecological unravelling, she is interested in the meeting point of large-scale collective action with individual values and transformation. She loves working with diverse groups, bringing people together in shared passion and service. Previously Tarot used collaborative art-making as a tool for change in the fields of LGBT+ rights and migration, leading projects in Kyrgyzstan, Georgia and Ireland. She also was involved in establishing, and still maintains close ties with the Bushman Heritage Museum, working with indigenous artists in South Africa. She loves night walks, sleeping outdoors, spending time on her boat on the Kennet and Avon Canal, and walking in Epping Forest near where she lives. She is passionate about living a closer relationship with the Earth. She thrives in challenging environments, and learned many of her practical skills while building her own house!