What is group facilitation?

We’ve all met facilitators before…

The MC at that fundraising event you went to, he/she was a facilitator. Remember the team building day you attended not long after you started work? The person/people running that were facilitators too. The people who run alcoholics anonymous meetings… self help groups… are you getting the picture?

Facilitators are experts at helping groups of people achieve the outcomes they seek. The word “facilitate” is from latin and basically means “to make something easier”.

What do group facilitators do?

Facilitation is needed in many situations throughout the workplace and the community. Examples may include:

· Getting loggers and green groups to work together
· Resolving conflicts in the workplace
· Helping someone navigate their way through legal disputes
· Providing group therapy for people with social difficulties

Good facilitators have inherent skills which allow them to remain calm and focused in potentially difficult situations. They are experts at allowing a safe space for people to express their views without fear of being rejected for doing this. They use these skills to encourage conflicting sides to see common ground and strive for common goals.

How do I utilise group facilitation skills?

I use facilitation skills in my role as facilitator of the Overcoming pain class, Escape the city cycle retreats, organisation of wellness workshops/seminars, my environmental campaigning, trivia nights and in everyday life!

In recent years I’ve been increasingly connected with the Australasian Facilitation Network and Groupwork Institute.

I can be hired as a facilitator to help you and your organisation achieve desired outcomes. See here for details.