HEE PSU: Group Facilitation Skills training course (5-day course)

Group Facilitation Skills for Trainees
Have you ever wanted to connect with other trainees who share similar experiences, backgrounds or needs but not found the right group to join? Are you interested in running a peer support group if you had the training and help to do it? Do you currently run a group and would like to improve your facilitation skills? If so, the PSU in London/KSS is offering a rare opportunity to attend a fully funded Group Facilitation Skills training course starting on 12th May 2023.

What is being offered?
• An experiential face to face training programme over 5 days helping you to set up and run peer groups
• There will be a mix of structured and theoretical input, practical exercises, opportunities for discussions, reflection and feedback throughout and you will have support in planning and preparing to set up a group of your choice as well as discussing any challenges you are having in your existing groups
• Topics include: understanding the role, responsibilities and duties of a group facilitator, practicalities of setting up a group, understanding group dynamics and processes, considering boundaries and the ethical aspects of groups, skills in managing group conversations and attending to emerging challenges in groups

How will the course benefit me?
• Facilitating groups is a specific and rare skillset with many useful transferrable aspects. In addition to developing the foundation knowledge and skills in running your own peer groups we hope that during the course you will also develop your confidence and skills in communicating in teams, develop insights
into how you function and come across in groups, learn to take a lead when required in challenging and stressful situations and be able to support, advocate for and challenge others effectively
• By being part of this course you will also have *me to discuss current dilemmas or difficulties which you are experiencing and become part of a network of other trainees who are running groups
• Once the course ends you will also be able to access further support from the course facilitators and join an optional online supervision group to discuss ongoing challenges and needs as a facilitator

Who is eligible to apply?
• All Postgraduate Doctors and Dentists with training numbers in London, Kent, Surrey or Sussex
• Postgraduate Doctors on the CAPS & I+R schemes
• Pharmacists, Nurses, Healthcare scientists and Allied Health Professionals meeting the PSU’s eligibility criteria

Practical information
• This is a 5 day course. You must be able to attend all 5 days and will receive a certificate at the end
• Each day will run from 10:00-4:30 at the same venue near London Bridge/Borough stations in London
• Lunch & refreshments will be provided
• You will also receive course material and further reading
• After you complete the course you will be able to join an optional online group supervision/support session with the facilitators to address any issues which have come up in your groups. We will share the details and dates of these sessions at the end of the course.

Course days:
Day 1: 12th May 2023
Day 2: 23rd May 2023
Day 3: 6th June 2023
Day 4: 20th June 2023
Day 5: 27th June 2023