nature facilitation training
An immersive learning journey for those seeking to catalyse positive change
14 - 19 may 2024 (FULLY BOOKED) & 3 - 8 SEPTEMBER 2024
Hawkwood College, Stroud
“Life changing. This course has had a huge impact on my sense of self, wellbeing and purpose.”
“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. As one trainee from 2019 put it:“This learning journey has given me immediate permission to hold space for others, with a felt sense that I have a community that appreciates and validates me at my side. It has also allowed me to see myself more clearly in relationship to a community, and to understand my role within it – in terms of my unique gifts and attributes, and how I wish to offer these qualities to the world.”
why now?
This training course is about empowering you to facilitate outdoor experiences that rebuild our lost connections with nature and community and catalyse purposeful action at this pivotal time.
why nature-BASED facilitATion?
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. Experiences in nature can also act as powerful catalysts for positive change.
“This programme is essential if you want to facilitate experiences in nature.”
“An immersive, powerful cacophony of experiences within immensely informative and expertly woven training.”
who is it for?
This training programme is 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. 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 right from the start and be supported by a trusted 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 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 back 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).
“A transformative journey about deepening your connection to nature and helping others to do the same.”
“The course deepened my sense of connection, community, purpose and wisdom. I feel ready to go out there.”
“The course will help you feel fully alive, energised & supported to take courageous steps towards a more positive world”
“The team at Change in Nature provide an exquisite safe space to learn and experiment with your ability to facilitate.”
“The course grows your skills and confidence in facilitation, while providing the opportunity to journey with a wonderful group of people.”
course Objectives
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
Comfort with designing programmes, drawing upon a number of different change models and frameworks
A varied toolkit of nature connection practices
Practical nature skills, including fire-making, fire cooking and setting up a group space
Communication skills to engage your audience
Deep listening skills and techniques
Clarity on personal goals and objectives
A deeper personal connection with nature
The confidence to keep growing as a facilitator through practice, support and feedback
“The course positively affected pretty much every facet and aspect of my life.”
“An incredible twin path of self discovery and skilling up to be a change agent in the world.”
the PROGRAMME
The programme is comprised of a six day intensive course in nature, complemented with distance learning for two months afterwards.
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, learning groups, a course handbook, and the development of a learning community that we co-create together. An online folder and WhatsApp group is used for discussions, sharing resources, joint learning, posting questions and exploring emerging themes.
“Not only transformational, but full of fun, joy and laughter.”
“The course has well and truly exceeded my expectations - both life-affirming and life-changing. I’m so inspired. ”
“The training has radically altered and transformed my life for the better. I don’t think I’ll ever find the words to sufficiently express the gratitude I have.”
course structure
In this course we will explore a number of themes and core content. But rather than having a rigid agenda, we take a more emergent approach - so the depth and detail in which we explore any one theme will depend on the interests and energy of the group. Some of the key themes we will explore are:
THEME ONE: Bringing nature back into our lives
We will explore:
Personal intentions and objectives
The benefits of nature for enhancing wellbeing and creating change, as well as sources of disconnection at home, work, community and the global level
The power of awe, wonder, creativity, play, imagination, gratitude and appreciation
Making nature connection relevant to your field and context – what you might offer and your target audience
An exploration of facilitating for a range of different groups, such as in corporate or community settings
The skills of facilitating in nature – opportunities and challenges
THEME TWO: Community building and holding powerful group processes
We will explore:
Different group facilitation models, including The Work that Reconnects (Joanna Macy) and the 8 Shields Model (Jon Young)
The Four Ways of Knowing: thinking, sensing, feeling and intuition
The wider context of environmental and social challenges and systems change
Deep ecology, deep time and shifting perspectives to create change
The power of intention and visioning (including an optional overnight solo in nature)
Exploring techniques, addressing uncertainty and dealing with challenging behaviour
THEME THREE: Leadership and catalysing change
We will explore:
Facilitating transformation through hands-on experience
The power of nature to help people connect with purpose, mission and meaning
The role of ritual and ceremony
Inspiring others through storytelling
Clarifying intentions for the future and making yourself accountable to them
Going forth in a way that is authentic, ambitious and impactful
“A highly recommended course for anyone remotely curious, in the presence of outstanding role models.”
“I feel like I’ve come a really long way through this course, and opened up new parts of myself and paths for myself.”
our IMPACT
We have now run six Nature Facilitation Courses since 2018 - training 79 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
80% found clarity about what they wanted to offer others
Dates and practicals
The course runs as a six day intensive (2pm start on the first day and 5pm finish on the last day). Following the course, participants are invited to facilitate sessions in nature over the next two months (at least one session per month). Two months after the course, there is an evening online zoom call.
BOOK NOW TO SECURE YOUR PLACE
all OF our training courses HAVE BEEN heavily over-subscribed in the last few years, so early booking is recommended
tue 3rd - sun 8th sept 2024
We are also running a course on TUE 14th - sun 19th may 2024
This is currently fully booked but let us know if you want to be put on the waiting list as we sometimes get cancellations.
BOOKING
We don't want price to exclude anyone. If the course fee is unaffordable for you, please do get in touch. We’d really like to hear what would be possible for you and may very well be able to reduce the fee if you’d otherwise not be able to attend. That is why we are offering a number of bursary places. Please click here to apply for one of these places.
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 and gives us more security to pay deposits.
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 per main). For the duration of the residential, we will all be camping in a beautiful meadow on the grounds of Hawkwood College (you provide your own tent and bedding). Camper vans are permitted too!
“Challenging and nurturing. A great space to meet your edges in a space which is held.”
who we are
Change in Nature is a social enterprise that runs leadership and personal development programmes in the expansiveness of nature, with full focus and no tech interruptions. We have developed a powerful process to help people reconnect with purpose, build strong personal connections, and significantly enhance their motivation and vitality. Over 400 individuals from a wide range of well known institutions have benefitted from our professional programmes:
the facilitators
Change in Nature was created by 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. Over 1000 people have participated in their programmes and collaborators include sustainability leader Jonathon Porritt, change maker Mac Macarthy, author Giles Hutchins, singer Martha Tilston and film producer Jamie Catto.
MAY 2023 TEAM
july 2023 team
For More Information about the Facilitators view our “About Us” page.
“Wonderful frameworks and teachings via two deeply present, knowledgeable and loving facilitators.”
Partnering with hawkwood college
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. Two of the weekends will be held in the grounds of the college, setting up a temporary village in their ‘outdoor classroom’ with access to woodland, biodynamic ponds, firepit, compost toilet, outdoor kitchen, roundhouse and much more. Hawkwood’s outdoor classroom has been generously supported by the Summerfield Charitable Trust.
