Group Facilitation Skills Training

‘An introduction to facilitation for mental health and wellbeing spaces’ 

Facilitation in wellbeing-focused settings is about creating spaces where people feel safe, respected, and able to learn from one another. It’s not about teaching or therapy—it’s about supporting shared experiences, reflection, and meaningful conversations around mental health and personal wellbeing. 

This interactive training introduces the core skills and values behind effective group facilitation. You’ll explore how to guide inclusive, engaging sessions; holding space with presence and care; and how to use practical tools like group agreements, check-ins, and rounds to support connection and participation. 

You’ll learn: 

• What facilitation looks like in a Recovery College setting (and how it differs from teaching or therapy) 

• The structure we use to create inclusive, engaging, and safe group learning experiences 

• Practical skills for guiding discussion, encouraging participation, and responding to group needs 

• Key facilitation tools used across our courses—like check-ins, working in rounds, and group agreements 

• Knowing when, what, and how much of your own story to share in support of others, without over-identifying or triggering 

You’ll also explore the principles of hosting—both yourself and others—drawing on the Art of Hosting approach. This includes: 

• Hosting yourself: staying grounded, self-aware, and present while facilitating 

• Hosting others: creating space where people feel safe, heard, and able to contribute 

• Cultivating presence over performance, and curiosity over control 

There will be opportunities to reflect, ask questions, and practice facilitation techniques in a supportive environment.   

Places will be prioritised for those currently co-facilitating, volunteering or interested in volunteering with Leeds Recovery College.