Useful links
Online resources for facilitators
Listed below are a selection of online resources that facilitators may find useful. Covering facilitation practice, collaborative working, reflective practice, learning and development, systems thinking and beyond, these links offer a range of theoretical approaches and practical insights for both new and experienced facilitators.
This page also provides a selection of links to tools and activities to help facilitators engage groups, encourage interaction and create a dynamic learning environment. These links, together with our Facilitator Activities handout (shared during our Foundations in Facilitation Skills programme), are intended as a flexible resource that can be adapted to different contexts, group sizes, and facilitation styles.
John Heron: Human Inquiry Archive
John Heron (1928-2022) had committed his life to Human Inquiry and his work on Group Facilitation has informed the work of the Association of Facilitators. This is a free resource for those who want a deep dive into the underpinning theory and philosophy that informs the work of a facilitator. The archive includes book chapters, academic papers, and musings. Subject matter includes, Group Faciltation, Co-operative Inquiry, Assessment, and Co-counselling.
Visit the John Heron Human Inquiry Archive here.
Denis Postle, The Mind Gymnasium
A rich collection of 29 free e-books that introduce humanistic psychology, facilitation, personal development, learning, relationships, conflict, power and offer self-assessment and exercises to undertake alone and with groups.
Learning for Sustainability
Learning for Sustainability is a practitioner-led resource bringing together a wide range of open-access materials on systems thinking, complexity, collaboration and sustainability. Carefully curated, the site offers articles, papers, tools and reflections that support people working with groups, organisations and partnerships to navigate complex challenges. It is a valuable resource for facilitators interested in systems approaches, reflective practice and collaborative learning.
Tools for regenerative practice
Tools for Regenerative Practice is a practical guide designed to help people (facilitators, organisations and communities) explore how human systems can work in ways that are more aligned with the regenerative principles of living systems. It includes 30 frameworks, exercises and methods in service of human and planetary flourishing. Read the guide here.
The Facilitator’s Toolkit: Tools, techniques and tips for effective facilitation
An NHS England guide offering practical tools, techniques and tips to help facilitators design and deliver engaging group sessions. The toolkit includes a wide range of activities, from icebreakers and group discussions, to reviewing sessions and overcoming common challenges, alongside practical advice from experienced facilitators on planning, preparation and delivery. It is a useful resource for both new facilitators and those looking to expand their facilitation toolkit.
Seeds for Change: Facilitation Guides
A practical collection of free guides covering a wide range of facilitation topics, including facilitating meetings, active listening, group agreements, workshop activities and online decision-making. Drawing on extensive experience of supporting groups and campaigns, the resources offer practical ideas, tools and techniques that facilitators can readily apply in their own practice. The site also includes videos, podcasts and audio resources for those wishing to explore topics in more depth. Visit the site here.
BusinessBalls
A free online learning resource offering a wide range of practical articles, frameworks and tools covering leadership, management and personal development. Written in an accessible, jargon-free style, the site provides resources that can support learning and development for individuals, teams and organisations, at all levels of experience and responsibility.
Liberating Structures
Liberating Structures provides a collection of key principles and activities that underpin effective facilitation. A good resource to support the planning and delivery of a facilitated session.
Lego Serious Play
An open-source document introducing LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY®, the basic principles and its philosophy.
The Big Book of Conflict Resolution Games
A collection of practical activities to help groups explore communication, trust, collaboration and approaches to working with conflict. The resource includes a range of experiential exercises that can be adapted by facilitators to support team development, encourage reflection and create opportunities for groups to practise new ways of working together.