Embedding the Practice

Join us for a relaxing and nourishing four-day retreat exploring The Way of Council circle facilitation. There will be a series of lively and progressive workshops designed to explore and deepen circle practices as well as the opportunity to sit in circles, be in a beautiful place, eat good food, meet other circle lovers and facilitate your own circles

And of course, a chance to rest and enjoy a time of retreat away from the fullness of life.

Circle practices are a way to structure and develop an inclusive environment that changes the way we interact and live together. Story lies at the heart of circle, harking back to a time when people relating in a different way, living closer to the earth and to each other and gathering in circles to listen. In circle we give people the space and confidence to share their stories, hear the stories of others and so develop a community of empathy, depth and belonging.

This year we will be offering experienced and would-be circle facilitators the opportunity to retreat together and go deeper into the process of council. A series of interrelated and progressive workshops will provide the space and time to explore circle practice in greater depth. This retreat will provide a foundational basis for anyone wanting to work with circle practice either as a participant or as a facilitator within their own work or community.

The sessions are experiential, helping us to connect and explore our intentions in coming to this work, whilst also providing time, space, guidance and an opportunity to put our learning into practice.

The initial session will introduce the nature of circle practice, its essential elements and why and how it might be of use in these changing and challenging times. Continuing our learning community, we will explore more deeply the skills and techniques needed to support those wishing to develop their practice and facilitate circles in their own lives and work. We will explore additional forms, elements and possibilities, deepening and developing practice in line with personal areas of interest.

What people say about Circlewise’s advanced facilitator programmes

"I found the weekend a well-balanced mix of new information, being part of well held councils, practice through co-creation and experimentation. The care and attention to detail from the facilitators was exceptional. Beautifully and tenderly held spaces, a truly inspiring and practical course. I had fun and had opportunities to learn from the other participants. I've come away feeling motivated and capable of putting new practices into action."

"The Circlewise 'Deepening Training' weekend was extremely well facilitated and rich. It provided me with essential ways of taking care of myself as a facilitator, it made clearer to me how important networking and being part of a council training community is and I came away much more aware of just how much generosity and goodwill is at the heart of the Circlewise organisation. At a time in my Way of Council journey when I felt I had more questions and doubts than answers and confidence, I came away feeling re-inspired and in awe of the wealth of experience and commitment available to me. Thank you."

“An absolutely inspirational series of workshops in the woods with wrap-around birdsong and a heartwarming fire. Fabulous facilitators with an expanse of experience who brought such creative ideas and activities to us and shared different approaches to running circles and how it can incorporate the curriculum So glad I came, I learned so much. Thank you”

"The space of this training has left me feeling even more connected to the practice of council and I have left the weekend with a deepened sense of empowerment, confidence and a keenness to put into practice what has been shared with us. Heidi and Sam have held this space in a way that made me feel very safe and enabled me to bring myself fully. I found the content of the shared time very clear, very supportive, informative and encouraging to now go and share this practice with the circles I am moving through and I feel grateful for all the resources you have left us with. A heartfelt thank you for making this happen and for sharing your experiences so generously!"

“I attended what turned out to be a masterclass in the creative and effective use of circle in relation to the demands of the school curriculum. I feel inspired!”

"As always, Heidi and the other facilitators created an incredibly supportive and nurturing space for us to learn more about deepening the practice of holding councils. I loved the mixture of observing and participating in the various ways that circles can be held and felt that I was able to both grow my understanding and confidence at the same time."

"A rich and inspiring training, sensitively held by Heidi and Sam. I learnt a lot and have also realised there’s so much more to learn in deepening this practice. What can appear quite simple on the surface, I now understand to be multi-layered with profound potential to bring connection and change in the world."

“The training really increased my confidence in holding council circles. With a better understanding of the potential of council, I feel more able to trust in the process.”

“I really enjoyed this meeting of council in the woods. My first exposure to this particular approach and yet it felt so right, so natural. It was very well held space and wonderful to share a few hours with complete strangers, yet feel community and connection with them.”

“……perfect location and great subject matter, brilliant event , beautifully held...will be coming back for more”

“This work is vital at this time. Please do more, it is needed.”

Who is it for?

Embedding the Practice is suitable for anyone curious and passionate about exploring the power of circles for their own personal life, work, organisation or community. You may previously have attended Circlewise’s facilitator or advanced facilitator training, although this is not essential.

When is it?

Dates: Friday 19th to Monday 22nd September

Arrival: 2pm on Friday

Departure: 12pm on Monday

How much does it cost?

The cost for the retreat is £240-£360, plus simple accommodation of camping, huts or space for campervan's as well as and food at £50 per day (for 3 days)

The retreat will be held at a beautiful centre with a circular building perfect for circle practice near Totnes in Devon.

We want to make this accessible to anyone who wants to participate so please be in contact if the cost is prohibitive as there may also be some concessions

To book please pay a deposit of £200 direct to Circlewise

For account details contact info@circlewise.co

Pre-booking is required and spaces are limited

For any questions please contact Heidi Rose on 07891 062769 or email info@circlewise.co

Circlewise is a service that provides facilitated listening circles and the way of council training to community members, organisations and those working in education. They are committed to supporting individuals, groups, schools and the community by building life skills in communication and empathy through circle practices.

Circlewise offers facilitated circles, support, training and resources to promote:

- Compassionate communication and deep listening

- Social, emotional, mental well-being

- Empowered and relational learning

- Nature-inspired ways of relating

About your facilitators:

The facilitators will be Heidi Rose, Sam Kouzarides, Agata Krajewska, Jo Provisor and others.

Bios https://www.circlewise.co/people

Heidi Rose is a founding director of Circlewise CIC. She has been facilitating ‘council’ listening circles for over 25 years. Heidi is also a qualified Psychospiritual Counsellor, Eco Therapist, and Wilderness Rites of Passage Guide. Over the years she has brought hundreds of deep listening circles to a variety of settings on many subjects and has a passion and devotion to the power, wisdom and simplicity held in the ancient practice of sitting in a circle, listening and sharing from our hearts.

Sam Kouzarides is a council facilitator, nature-connection mentor and rites of passage guide, Sam leads nature-based courses, events and youth mentoring programs, teaches nature studies, council and bushcraft and offers one-to-one mentoring.

Sam has been involved with introducing the Way of Council to schools in Devon and holds council circles in nature connection programs and for the land-based community in which he lives. He brings a playful element to awaken the child in all of us and likes nothing more than a good adventure.

Agata Krajewska is a founder and director of Theatre of Awakening. She is a teacher, therapist and creative alchemist. For two decades she has been working as a facilitator of original work. She offers "Holding Space" courses for facilitators and therapists.

Agata has developed a very intuitive, yet structured approach to working with people. She is known for her quirky humour and ability to go deep in gentle and unexpected ways. She has a great passion for supporting others in stepping forward with their gifts and sharing their stories through autobiographical theatre.

www.theatreofawakening.co.uk

Joe Provisor is the co-founder of Circle Ways (Circlewise's older brother organisation in America). https://www.circleways.org/our-founders

A school teacher for 24 years and educator trainer, Joe is also a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and an elder of The Ojai Foundation. He has practiced circle ways in the classroom since 1986 and has been a Council Trainer since 1994, providing training for educators, therapists, and business people nationally and internationally. He is the author of stories, training curricula, lesson plans on circle ways in schools, and the forthcoming book Circle Ways: Pedagogy in the Round.

For more information please contact Heidi info@circlewise.co or 07891062769