This course gives you what you need to creatively facilitate storytelling in an inclusive way.

Creative Facilitation for Storytelling/online/12 week course

This course will cover how to:

Understand the overall storytelling process and how to weave it together

• Recognise the different stages of the storytelling process and how to facilitate them:

  • Encouraging creativity

  • Finding the story

  • Story circles and story feedback

  • Building the story through iteration

  • Finishing the story

  • Sharing the stories

“I would recommend this course in a heartbeat. My research and evaluation colleagues would get so much from it, but also beyond those roles – anyone who works with people, communicates ideas, or supports collaboration would benefit. The tools and insights are universal, and the experience itself is so rich.”

Brittany Timms, NSPCC UK, Creative Facilitation for Storytelling participant

Build positive group dynamics

• Create trust

• Create a sense of being heard

• Generate confidence in the storytelling process

• Develop a shared understanding of a complex issue/problem

• Deal with conflict and work with different viewpoints and tensions in a group

• Deal with inappropriate behaviour

Use creative techniques for storytelling

• Recognise different creative styles and needs, and relate these to forms of expression

• Design creative processes that are inclusive

• Choose and apply appropriate creative techniques for each stage of storytelling

“The skills acquired in the course are very relevant and crucial for research, community engagement, capacity building…another huge benefit of the course is the layer of building connections and networks which we need as researchers and facilitators.”

Tsisi Mpofu Mketwa, Carleton University, Creative Facilitation for Storytelling participant

Strengthen your critical reflection, adaptability and inclusiveness

• Recognise and respond to social positions/identities/needs

• Recognise and respond to contextual differences

• Use of language(s) to be more inclusive

• Practice critical self-reflection and use this to develop your facilitation approach

Learning approach:

1) The course will provide an explanation of facilitation techniques, ‘tips and tricks’ and guidance on how to apply to these techniques to different contexts. You will learn from the proven approach of the trainer with storytelling as well as from the different styles and approaches in the group.

2) Using structured reflection on your own experience of facilitation, related to the course topics, you will learn from your own practice: what do you do well? Where would you like to develop further? How can you put these ideas into practice?

3) Gain practical experience applying the techniques covered in the course and get constructive feedback from the trainer and the rest of the group.

Price: £1200

**Up to three discounted places available for people based in the Global South, those working with small organisations, and for students. Discounted price is £600.**

Maximum participants: 8

“I am genuinely satisfied – I got what I was hoping for and so much more. My facilitation and collaboration skills have grown in ways that I didn’t expect, and I feel a lot more confident now in both areas. What stood out was how the course pushed me beyond the technical aspects and into real, reflective learning. I came away feeling not just skilled, but empowered.”

Brittany Timms, NSPCC UK, Creative Facilitation for Storytelling participant

What is included: course materials, access to a secure platform for participating/sharing and connecting with others, up to 5 rounds of detailed feedback on your facilitation by the trainer with additional feedback from the participants, on-going membership in a network of others working with storytelling.

What you need: a working internet connection, a phone/tablet/computer capable of connecting to the internet, a private space from which to join the sessions, interest and willingness in exploring your own experiences and learning through a collective process. Prior experience with storytelling and facilitation is required.

Course dates and times: Course dates and times: Weekly on Wednesday, from 24 September-10 December. Sessions 1 and 6 will be 10:00-14:00 London time. All other sessions are 11:00 to 13:00 London time.

“Being part of the transformative storytelling [methodology] was much more than learning how to craft stories; it was about discovering 'me' and the power of narratives to inspire, connect and drive change. Each of the sessions were rich, immersive and full of practical insights.

I especially liked the hands on exercises that pushed me out of my comfort zone (I actually tried facilitating using theater) and helped me refine my voice. The facilitators; Joanna and Riz, were outstanding. Each of them brought their unique perspective, expertise and undeniable passion into the sessions.

One of the most rewarding experiences of the workshop was participating alongside team members, each with unique experiences, perspectives and strengths. They contributed to an atmosphere of genuine collaboration and trust. Whether we were brainstorming or giving each other feedback, I was constantly awed by their creativity and generosity. Sometimes I felt 'not good enough' in terms of output but the team had this ability to foster a safe and inclusive space that made all the difference.

Beyond storytelling, I made valuable networks, gained insight on how to present my ideas with clarity and generally have empathetic communication. I am forever grateful for the opportunity and definitely continuously evolving in the space.”

Joyce Akinyi Akach, University of Nairobi, Creative Facilitation for Storytelling participant