WHAT’S NEW?

As we begin 2026, we’re looking ahead to a rich programme of opportunities to deepen facilitation practice and connect with peers. From January to March, we’re offering a mix of core training programmes, Learning Labs, and Learning Days, alongside our newly announced Facilitators Retreat this summer. This newsletter brings together key dates and highlights for the months ahead, including Foundations and Certificate programmes, themed online Learning Labs, and experiential Learning Days designed to explore specific tools and approaches in depth.

To begin 2026, we’re delighted to invite members to a brand-new opportunity: our first ever Facilitators Retreat, taking place 3–5 June 2026 in the peaceful woodlands of Hazel Hill Wood, near Salisbury. Designed as a gentle pause rather than a training course, this retreat offers facilitators space to reflect, reset, and reconnect — with themselves, with others, and with the natural environment. Set in a secluded 70-acre woodland, the retreat blends optional, lightly facilitated activities with time for solitude, walking, and conversation, supporting both wellbeing and professional renewal.

As the festive season approaches, we’d like to thank you for being part of the Association of Facilitators community and share a look ahead to what’s coming in 2026. From our Certificate and Foundations programmes to learning days and supervision opportunities, the new year brings a range of ways to deepen your facilitation practice, connect with peers, and continue your professional development.

Following conversations with our members, we’ve updated the entry criteria for our Certificate in Facilitation Skills programme, making it more accessible for experienced facilitators who are ready to deepen their practice. With places still available for our 2026 course dates, this newsletter shares what’s changed, who the Certificate is for, and how the programme supports both professional development and personal presence in facilitation.

Following last week’s newsletter on winter reads to inspire facilitation practice, we shared a reminder of our upcoming November events. From an informal virtual catch-up to a deeper Learning Lab on Habits and Patterns, these sessions offer opportunities to reflect, connect with peers, and continue developing your facilitation practice as the year draws on.

As the year begins to wind down, many facilitators look for ways to pause, recharge, and prepare for what’s ahead. Reading can be a powerful companion in that process, offering fresh perspectives, new ideas, and space for reflection. As you may have seen, on our website we’ve curated a list of books covering facilitation skills, groups, teams, and supervision. We’ve just added three new titles to the list, and wanted to share them here as they speak directly to reflection and professional development [...]

Join us this Autumn & explore our 2026 programme As autumn unfolds and the year begins to draw to a close, we’re excited to share what’s coming up at the Association of Facilitators. This newsletter includes a reminder of our October events and a look ahead to our 2026 programme – with opportunities to deepen your practice, connect with peers, and plan your next steps in facilitation. Firstly, a reminder of our upcoming October events: Learning Day – Theatre [...]

Opportunities to meet, review and share good practice In recent conversations, during catch-ups, supervision sessions and events, a recurring theme has emerged. Many of you have been reflecting on the importance of staying connected, developing your practice, and making time to pause and review. With this in mind, we wanted to share a reminder of the continued professional development opportunities we offer, both online and in person, and to invite you to make use of them in whatever way [...]

This autumn, embark on your training from Foundations through to Certificate If you’re looking to develop your confidence as a facilitator, sharpen your skills, or deepen your understanding of group process, our autumn programme may offer the next step on your journey. We currently have places available on both modules from our Foundations in Facilitation Skills Programme, which can be taken as standalone modules: Facilitation Skills and Strategies (Sep 15-16) Group Dynamics (Oct 13-14). For those wishing to complete the [...]

Our 2026 events programme is now live on the website We’re delighted to share that our 2026 programme of courses and events is now live on the website. Whether you're looking to deepen your facilitation practice, continue your professional development, or simply network with others in our community - there’s something for you in the year ahead. Our 2026 schedule includes our: Foundations in Facilitation Skills Programme Certificate in Facilitation Skills Programme Learning Days Online Learning Labs and Virtual Catch [...]