The Facilitation Lab
A certified online training course into the art of holding transformational spaces
9 live sessions (Jan to April 2027)
The Facilitator Within
We have all experienced that moment when a group feels alive, inspired and moving somewhere bold and beautiful. This course is your invitation to step fully into the potential of the facilitator within you… The gentle dynamic leader who can hold the space with ease, spark transformation and skilfully guide the wisdom of the group.
What is the Facilitation Lab?
A comprehensive training into the art of facilitating transformation - designed for both experienced and emerging facilitators seeking to deepen their presence, broaden their toolkit and stand in their full confidence. Whether you're new to holding space or have years of experience, this journey is a deep dive that will support you in developing the practical skills, embodied awareness and inner confidence needed to navigate group work with care, clarity and creativity.
For those who have already done some facilitation training with us, this is an opportunity to go deeper and explore a wide diversity of tools, practices and perspectives. For those who are new to Change in Nature, this is an invitation to step into a rich learning community where practice, reflection and shared exploration create the foundations for confident, compassionate facilitation.
What you will come away with?
A whole range of new facilitation tools and techniques (see the six modules for more info).
The embodied confidence to hold complex, alive and transformational spaces with grace and clarity.
Feel more rooted in your unique voice as a facilitator, with a deeper trust in your presence and leadership
Grow your confidence to design, hold and reflect on powerful group processes, from beginning to end, and gain a clearer sense of the bigger picture of group transformation.
Deepen your purpose and your capacity to share your gifts more skilfully with others.
Who?
This course is open to all levels - from those just starting out to experienced facilitators seeking new edges. You might be:
A coach, educator, team leader, therapist, consultant or practitioner.
Looking to hold more space as a career path or in your community.
Curious about how to bring more presence and impact to your work with groups
How is it certified?
At the end, you will receive a Certificate of Completion. While not externally accredited, Change in Nature’s facilitation courses are widely recognised for their depth and integrity. Participants consistently share outstanding feedback and apply the learnings in organisational, community and transformational settings.
Impact:
❈ 100% deepened their understanding of facilitation
❈ 100% gained confidence to facilitate groups
❈ 100% learned helpful tools and practices
❈ 100% gained insights that will positively influence their facilitation or leadership style
❈ 88% built a strong, supportive learning community
Introductory 1 min Video
-
"Brilliant, inspiring and hugely helpful... Lots to implement into improving your facilitation practice."
-
"A wonderful course... Really inspiring."
-
"Rich, all-encompassing and a deep resource to draw from for seasoned facilitators and new."
What is the course structure?
Live sessions (~2 hours per week):
9 x 2 hour live sessions (via Zoom), including teaching, practice and group dialogue.Coursework between sessions (~1 hour per week):
Personal reflection
Practice tasks to try out learnings in real-world settings
Readings, videos, podcasts and other inspiration
Facilitation practice(key component):
Facilitation opportunities for the cohort with peer feedback
Facilitate two external sessions (in your community or work setting)
→ Each with self-reflection, peer feedback and process notes
Peer-to-peer coaching (~1 hour peer circle per month):
For support, debriefing and learning from one another
When?
All timings are 9.30am to 11.30am (UK time) on Fridays. Session are recorded, so it is possible to catch up if you miss any. Please note that one or two dates may change nearer the time due to unforeseen circumstances.
❈ 29th January
❈ 5th February
❈ 12th February
Half Term Break
❈ 26th February
❈ 5th March
❈ 12th March
❈19th March
Easter Break
❈ 9th April (this session is 9.30am to noon)
❈ 16th April (this session is 9.30am to noon)
❈ 23rd April (please hold this to allow for flexibility if dates change)
What we will be exploring…
-
Module 1: The Foundations of Holding Space
Focus: The embodied and relational groundwork of facilitation. Creating safe and alive spaces.
- Building presence, trust, safety and attunement
- Core principles of holding space
- Reading and responding to group energy and dynamics
-
Module 2: The Craft of Group Facilitation and Storytelling
Focus: Practical tools and practice opportunities to build community, connection and inspiration.
- Tools, models and methods for group facilitation
- Designing the flow of meetings experiences
- Storytelling, creativity, ritual and metaphor as facilitation tools to inspire and connect
-
Module 3: Creating Spaces Where All Voices Matter
Focus: Power, perspective and belonging.
- Building an inclusive and responsive environment
- Welcoming and working with diversity of perspectives, needs and lived experiences
- Creating conditions for shared voice, mutual respect and more equitable participation
-
Module 4: Holding Complexity, Conflict and Strong Emotions
Focus: Working with uncertainty and meeting what arises with steadiness and skill.
- Understanding the nervous system and trauma-informed approaches
- Responding to resistance, vulnerability, shutdown or other emotional responses
- Conflict transformation and rupture–repair practices
-
Module 5: The Inner Work of the Facilitator
Focus: Self-awareness as a gateway to personal and professional growth
- Exploring your facilitator style: values, strengths, edges and growth areas
- Self-regulation, inner resourcing and working with the emotional, energetic and psychological field
- Quietening your inner critic and trusting yourself
-
Module 6: Stepping Forward as a Transformative Facilitator
Focus: Evolve your practice
- Facilitation practice session with peer feedback
- Designing your own sessions and/or courses
- Clarifying your vision for where you want to go and mapping next steps.
-
"Life changing. This course has had a huge impact on my sense of self, wellbeing and purpose."
-
"I have gained confidence, empowerment and practical learning that I would not have experienced anywhere else.”
-
"An exquisite safe space to learn and experiment with your ability to facilitate. I wish all learning was like this."
This course is limited to 12 people, so early booking is recommended.
Secure your place
Book here:
Key info:
Facilitator: Andy Raingold
Andy Raingold is a coach, facilitator, speaker and social entrepreneur who inspires transformation and supports people to grow their capacity to catalyse meaningful change in the world. He is a Co-Founder and Director of Change in Nature, an organisation dedicated to helping individuals, teams and organisations reconnect with what truly matters through nature-based experiences, expert facilitation training and purpose-driven coaching.
For the past six years, Andy has been teaching facilitation both in‑person and online, guiding over 250 students to develop the skills, confidence and presence needed to hold transformative spaces. He is a certified coach and resilience practitioner, with further training in holding powerful transformative spaces (The Work That Reconnects), regenerative leadership, trauma awareness and holding conflict.
