Introduction To Group Facilitation (IGF)

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Who this course is for

This is an entry-level course and has no pre-requisite. It is recommended as a first course for newcomers to facilitation, and for those with some prior experience of facilitation but little previous training.

It is suitable for all those who want to be able to facilitate groups more confidently and effectively, including team leaders and managers within organisations, those working with partners and external stakeholders, youth and community workers and independent facilitators.

“Everyone participated in every step of the training, and the diversity of the group was very enriching. The role play was the highpoint for me, because it gave me the chance to practise and improve my facilitation skills” - Sister Anne Falola OLA

"I have found both the Group Facilitation Methods and Introduction to Group Facilitation courses particularly useful to us in our work on cluster development, which centres on enabling our constituents to draw up and implement plans for their own collective development"- Krista Blair, Policy and Research Manager, Engage East Midlands

Questions this course answers

“How can I improve my meetings? How can I enable greater participation in decision-making? What is facilitation, really? How can I best build on what I already know, and what skills I already have?”

A facilitator needs to be able to design events, knowing which methods to use for what purpose, and how to use them. However, there is a range of skills that he or she needs to bring into play before, during and after an event, to ensure that the approach used is effective.

This course provides an introduction to the practice of facilitation. It introduces key facilitation skills, their uses and practical considerations. It offers an opportunity for participants to develop and practice some of these skills in a supportive, learning environment. It provides an invaluable foundation for further training and development in our approach, and indeed any approach, to facilitation.

What you will gain

By the end of the course, you will have

• reached a basic understanding of what it means to facilitate
• explored & developed some key facilitation skills
• built your confidence as a facilitator
• built links with others to promote future collaboration and support as a facilitator

The course will cover all or some of the following topics, tailored to some extent to those attending on the day:

• facilitation, and the breadth of the role of the facilitator
• key facilitation skills, including - listening, questioning, recording, planning & preparation, personal styles & group dynamics, dealing with challenges in a group

Learning style

The course uses a combination of short, interactive presentations, practical exercises and supported facilitation skills practice with guided reflection & feedback.

What do participants say about this course?

88% of IGF participants rated this course 8/10 or higher. Comments from participants’ end-of-course evaluations included:

• an excellent foundation course in facilitation, teaching the basics and exploring some issues using role play
• a very good introduction to facilitation – well organised with good contents
• a great way to gain a thoughtful and meaningful insight into facilitation
• interesting and thought-provoking
• enjoyable, rewarding, useful and positive

Check our course dates or book now.