Nature Facilitation Training
An immersive learning journey for those seeking to catalyse positive change
20 - 25th May 2025
Hawkwood College, Stroud
In their words: testimonials from past participants
“Life changing. This course has had a huge impact on my sense of self, wellbeing and purpose.”
“The most personally and emotionally transformative experience I have ever been involved with.”
“This is the ultimate course for facilitating in nature. I have gained confidence, empowerment and very practical learning opportunities that I would not have experienced anywhere else.”
What is the course?
Our facilitation training course is designed for anyone looking to start or deepen their experience of leading groups in nature to bring about enhanced wellbeing and catalyse positive change. The course combines theory and practice, and fosters a supportive learning environment that will enhance your confidence and nurture your personal and professional growth.
Why?
Experiences in nature can act as powerful catalysts for deep and profound personal transformation, which is an essential part of the change we need in the world. The science is now proving what we all know instinctively – that connecting with nature is good for us. Studies show that it enhances our wellbeing, creativity, vitality, positivity, generosity and sense of purpose, while reducing depression, anxiety and attentional fatigue.
Who is it for?
Anyone looking to harness the incredible potential of nature to enhance wellbeing and create positive change in people’s lives. We’ve found that people from a wide variety of professional backgrounds join this programme and all of them find creative ways of applying the learning to their work and personal lives. For example, on our 2019 programme we had a scientific researcher; a poet; a university lecturer; a social worker who supports vulnerable women, refugees, and adults with learning difficulties; a business coach; a mindfulness practitioner; a baker who worked with adults recovering from mental health crises; a climate change policy strategist; and an entrepreneurial events manager.
What will you come away with?
Tools, techniques, knowledge, skills, support and the confidence to make a difference. With an emphasis on practice, you will be gaining experience of facilitation and be supported by a community of fellow learners and doers. Rekindling your own connection with nature and community will also deepen your sense of purpose and resource you to feel more alive in these challenging times.
What can you do after it has finished?
You will leave this course feeling more equipped and empowered to set off in a new direction, or to take your existing work out into a natural setting. The course will enable you to join a growing movement of activists, businesses, charities, public sector organisations, schools, social prescribers and leadership practitioners who are turning towards nature to help make people feel better and create positive change (for example, the Government’s commitment to nature-based support for mental health care in England, HSBC’s nature-based sustainability training and Extinction Rebellion’s emphasis on nature connection as part of creating a regenerative culture).
What support is there going forwards?
You will be part of a growing movement and invited to join the alumnni of over 150 people who have completed this course and who connect regularly to support, co-create and collaborate together so that you do not feel you have to take things forward all on your own. This includes invitations to:
A monthly online workshop facilitated by past participants to connect with others and deepen knowledge and skills.
An annual in-person gathering.
Opportunities to meet up in-person with local people who have completed the course.
Explore the possibility to collaborate with others (many participants both within and across cohorts have led workshops and nature camps together).
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"Life changing experience. Does what it says on the tin, with tons and tons more!"
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"An exquisite safe space to learn and experiment with your ability to facilitate."
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"An incredible twin path of self discovery and skilling up to be a change agent."
Course Programme and Objectives
The programme is comprised of a six day intensive course in nature, complemented with distance learning for two months afterwards.
In addition to any personal learning objectives, you will develop:
Group facilitation and leadership skills
Knowledge and experience of powerful group and community-building processes
Ability to design programmes, drawing upon a number of different change models and frameworks
A varied toolkit of nature connection practices
Communication skills to engage your audience, as well as deep listening skills and techniques (to both the human and more-than-human world)
More clarity on personal goals and objectives - such as how to make this relevant to your field/context and what you might want to offer to others
A deeper personal connection with nature
Some practical nature skills, with options to experience fire-making, fire cooking and setting up a group space
The confidence to keep growing as a facilitator through practice, support and feedback
After our physical time together, you will be invited to facilitate two group practices or taster sessions for people within your personal or professional community. This provides experience in a real life context, and is an opportunity to put what you have learnt into practice. The cohort then provide a valuable forum for feedback and group learning. You will also receive inspiration and support through a buddy system and more intimate learning groups. An online folder and WhatsApp group is used for discussions, sharing resources, joint learning, posting questions and exploring emerging themes.
Our Impact
We have now run ten Nature Facilitation Courses since 2019 - training over 150 participants over that time. We are really pleased with the impact, and this is why…
95% gained in confidence to lead groups
95% felt ready and comfortable to apply new facilitation models in practice
93% felt they had built a strong, supportive learning community
93% deepened their own connection to nature
92% experienced a significant improvement in their personal wellbeing
85% found clarity about what they wanted to offer others
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"A joyful celebration of what it truly means to be a human in this world."
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"Transformative, healing, challenging, welcoming, creative, connecting."
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"The course positively affected pretty much every facet and aspect of my life."
Book now to secure your place
All of our training courses have been heavily oversubscribed in the last few years, so early booking is recommended
The course starts at 1pm on the first day and finishes at 4pm on the last day.
We are currently offering a limited number of early bird places with significant savings on the full course fee. Book now and pay £945 (saving £400). These might become fully booked at any time. We offer these early birds at a highly discounted rate as this helps us to plan in advance more effectively.
We don't want price to exclude anyone. If the course fee is unaffordable for you, we would really like to hear what might be possible for you. We offer a number of bursary places - please click here to apply for one of these.
Let us know if you would like to pay in instalments.
The course fee includes all teaching, as well as all dinners and breakfasts (you bring your own packed lunches - and there are independent catering options for lunches on Friday, Saturday and Sunday at a price of £6 for a main course).
For the duration of the residential we will be camping in a beautiful meadow on the grounds of Hawkwood College (you provide your own tent and bedding). Camper vans are permitted too.
Please read our terms and conditions before booking.
Facilitators: Chloe Revill & Andy Raingold
Change in Nature was created by Chloe Revill & Andy Raingold, two senior sustainability professionals who after many years of working to influence business and policy in Westminster, went on personal journeys in nature to renew their sense of purpose and drive. They set up Change in Nature to help people and organisations deeply connect with the change they would like to see in the world and be fully resourced to make a meaningful contribution in this extraordinary time. Click here for full bios.
“Wonderful frameworks and teachings shared by two deeply present, knowledgeable and loving facilitators.”
“Expertly facilitated so that intimacy and learning were growing all the time… Six tranformational days with the best team!”
Venue: Hawkwood College, Stroud
The programme is being held in partnership with Hawkwood College, Stroud, an educational charity which brings together people and organisations in support of creative endeavour, a flourishing society and a sustainable environment. They host outstanding courses and training programmes throughout the year and work in partnership with a broad range of organisations at the forefront of the arts, sustainability, spirituality and wellbeing. We set up a temporary village in their ‘outdoor classroom’ with access to woodland, biodynamic ponds, firepit, compost toilet, outdoor kitchen, roundhouse and much more.
