Facilitating with Confidence:
Skills for Leading Better Sessions
Thu 18th June 2026, 10:00-13:00
AND
Tue 21st July 10:00-11:30 OR Tue 11th August 10:00-11:30
A three part masterclass for helping you improve your facilitation skills:
Pre-course reading on some of the theory and practical tips around effective facilitation (written by me based on my experiences as well as the learning I’ve done through my coaching education)
A 3hr online session (Thursday 18th June) consolidating the learning on facilitation skills, including the opportunity to put things into practice and to reflect on your particular challenges - you’ll leave the session with targeted things specifically for you to put into practice.
A 1.5hr online session (Tuesday 21st July or Tuesday 11th August) to reflect on your experiences in the form of an After Action Review (giving you opportunity to learn as well as experience a form of facilitation)
Please note: If you prefer to pay by invoice, please email me jo@jowalley.co.uk to reserve your place and let me know the details to send the invoice to.
Facilitation skills in libraries
Many library staff are involved in teaching and facilitation. That can include running induction sessions, workshops, research support and information literacy sessions. Even those who aren’t involved in user education are often involved in running events, holding staff meetings, or managing project meetings. For some people, it’s a highlight of the role (for some it really isn’t and that’s OK too!). However, I’ve never met anyone who doesn’t experience some aspect of nerves, imposter syndrome, or a desire to feel more comfortable leading these sorts of things.
In my 15+ years as a coach and trainer, my training has dramatically changed in its focus. Part of that is me gaining confidence in who I am and how I can best support people which has come with time and experience. But part of that is learning and refining my approaches and realising my role isn’t often one of being a teacher - I’m a facilitator.
What is facilitation?
“Facilitation is the skill of guiding a group of people so that they can work together effectively towards a common goal. An effective facilitator creates an inclusive, supportive environment where everyone feels heard and the group achieves its aims.”
Facilitation is not about being the expert or telling people what to do – it’s about enabling good conversations, collaboration, and learning. It’s about unearthing the skills and knowledge of each of the individuals and bringing them together to the best effect. It utilises some similar skills to coaching and has definitely become more integral to my work since I became a coach as well as a trainer.
What’s great about facilitation is that:
It’s different every single time (yay variety and keeping things fresh!)
The facilitator often learns as much as the participants learn (and this makes our day jobs even easier)
The focus shifts from the facilitator to the group (less pressure for us and more empowerment for them)
It’s more about the tools you have available and choosing the right ones than about the content (therefore can be adapted to fit any content without you needing to be an expert in the topic)
Effective facilitation is a difficult skill to define and master, but it’s something that will dramatically change the outcome of so many group interactions.
Whether you’re helping support people in their learning, getting feedback from people, or moving a group towards a shared goal, effective facilitation skills and the confidence to implement different forms of facilitation will massively enhance everyone’s experience (including your own).
Here's something a client of mine once said about my facilitation:
““It felt a real privilege to be in the room and able to observe at a distance how well you were able to hold the space in a way which enabled such constructive conversations. It was consequently a session which surpassed my expectations for how much useful feedback we’ve received””
I’ve supported many people informally over the years with this through my workshops and coaching, and now I’m sharing my experience in a focused masterclass to help others feel more confident in their online and in-person facilitation skills and make their sessions so much more enjoyable for everyone (including themselves!).
All content will be relevant for all types of libraries, and examples will be shared from a variety of sectors including my experience with academic, public and health libraries.
The investment for the masterclass is just £300, and there are a maximum of 12 places available.
You must be able to commit to the pre-course reading (around an hour of your time) and attend the following online sessions:
Thursday 18th June - 10am-1pm
Tuesday 21st July 10am-11:30am OR Tuesday 11th August 10am-11:30am
What to Expect
Expect practical, real-life, honest tips and advice from my experience facilitating over 15+ years - the good, the bad, and the ugly. You’ll have the opportunity to put your skills into practice in small groups, to pick my brains to ask for advice on your specific situations, and we’ll work together to plan your future facilitation, whether that’s online or in person. Once you’ve had chance to test it out, we’ll reflect together during an After Action Review, giving you the opportunity to reflect and another opportunity to try a facilitation method.
Who?
Facilitated by Jo Walley, for anyone working in the library and information sector (NHS, public, and academic sectors) who wants to improve their facilitation skills.
Date(s)
Thursday 18th June - 10am-1pm
Tuesday 21st July 10am-11:30am OR Tuesday 11th August 10am-11:30am
Location
Online (using Zoom - you must have access to video and microphone as the sessions are interactive)
A three part masterclass for helping you improve your facilitation skills:
Pre-course reading on some of the theory and practical tips around effective facilitation (written by me based on my experiences as well as the learning I’ve done through my coaching education)
A 3hr online session (Thursday 18th June) consolidating the learning on facilitation skills, including the opportunity to put things into practice and to reflect on your particular challenges - you’ll leave the session with targeted things specifically for you to put into practice.
A 1.5hr online session (Tuesday 21st July or Tuesday 11th August) to reflect on your experiences in the form of an After Action Review (giving you opportunity to learn as well as experience a form of facilitation)
Please note: If you prefer to pay by invoice, please email me jo@jowalley.co.uk to reserve your place and let me know the details to send the invoice to.