February update from the Association of Facilitators

As we move into February, we wanted to share a few ways to stay connected with the AoF community and some reminders about what’s coming up over the next month.

Firstly, there are still spaces on our Group Dynamics course next week, the second module of the Foundations in Facilitation Skills Programme. If you’re looking to progress from our Facilitation Skills & Strategies module, or even if you’ve taken Group Dynamics before, this is a great opportunity to deepen and refresh your learning. Repeating a Foundations module can be a powerful way to refresh skills and gain new insights as your practice evolves. Do reach out if this might be of interest, we’re always happy to discuss what’s right for you.

A refreshed space for connection: our LinkedIn Friends & Members Group

We’ve recently relaunched our private AoF Friends & Members LinkedIn Group — a space for deeper connection, reflection and peer learning for our community. This group is for AoF members, guest members and associates who want a conversational space to:

• ask questions and explore tricky facilitation moments
• share reflections, tools and resources
• seek peer support and collaboration
• celebrate learning and successes

In our last member survey, many of you told us you’d value more opportunities to connect between events, and this group is one way we’re responding. If you’re signed up to AoF’s Code of Practice and would like to join, you’re very welcome to request access.

Coming up soon: Learning Labs & Learning Days

Contracting – Online Learning Lab

26 February, 2026, 1:00 pm – 4:30 pm

Good contracting is central to effective facilitation. In this session, we’ll examine how to work ethically and equitably with participants, sponsors, clients, and co-facilitators, covering agreements on outcomes, ways of working, fees, boundaries, and renegotiation.

Whether you work in-house or externally, contracting overlaps with culture setting and consulting, and is often half the work of the assignment.

Spaces still available – book your place now.

Theatre of the Oppressed – Learning Day

16 March, 2026, 10:00 am – 4:00 pm, Central London

(A short walk from Paddington Station)

Following the hugely positive feedback from October, we’re delighted to be welcoming Nick Mabey back to run this experiential Learning Day again.

This day invites facilitators to explore Augusto Boal’s Theatre of the Oppressed techniques and how they can support clients, open up new perspectives, and create space for meaningful change. Expect a day that is serious and playful, participative and reflective, with plenty of opportunities to experiment and learn alongside peers.

Here’s what one participant said last time:

“Not only was it hugely useful, in terms of the learning and tools I’ve taken away, but it was immensely fun!”

Nick has also written a short article reflecting on the thinking behind this work and how theatre can help us rehearse change in facilitation practice. A thoughtful companion piece if you’d like to go deeper.

There are still spaces available and we’d love you to join us in London for this session with Nick.

Bursaries

We do have bursaries available for those who need support. Please reach out to us to find out more.

Explore our upcoming events and book your place here.

We hope to see many of you online in February, or in person in London in March.