I really like using visual cards for check-ins. They give ppl a gentler way to share how they're arriving or expectations for the day & set the group up much strong to develop ways of working that actually fit them, rather than defaulting to the usual ground rules.

Really needed the dose of hope I got from #SMKawards2026 last night. Katie Roberts words really struck me: "We can't afford to only deal in virtuous hope." She invited us to embrace hope in whatever form it comes: irrational, uncertain, wishy washy...

Opposing genocide is not terrorism. Make your choice. www.wedonotcomply.org

Now available again, after selling out and increasing capacity with the help of @rosemaryforest.bsky.social joining me as co-trainer! Last chance to register for @ica-uk.bsky.social ToP #facilitation training, 4-5 Nov in London #ToPfacilitation www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/top-group-...

ToP Group Facilitation Methods training - London

Group Facilitation Methods training - London

eventbrite.co.uk

'We're in a new world': Lawyers warn Palestine Action defendants could be denied fair trial “It feels like the defendants, particularly those who are unrepresented, are being treated with disdain.” www.middleeasteye.net/news/plan-tr...

'We're in a new world': Lawyers warn Palestine Action defendants could be denied fair trial

Last week judges outlined plans to prosecute 2,000 people which would see the defendants tried five at a time in two and a half hour hearings

middleeasteye.net

Turned up 45 mins early to prep workshop day 2 … venue was locked. No host, no mobile number, alarm blaring. We started plotting moving into cafés & new venues when keys arrived. Lesson: always get a mobile + stay calm, flex, & keep participants in the loop. What’s your best event hiccup story?

Sharing complex info + wanting action in the same meeting? Long presentations risk losing attention & energy. Tip: break presentations into chunks & pause for discussion or breakouts throughout. By the “what can we do?” stage, people are already engaged.

43 - The number of terror charges seven key spokespeople have received for speaking on public Zoom calls. The seven Defend Our Juries key spokespeople have been released after over two days in custody. All seven have been charged with crimes under the Terrorism Act 2000. 1/3 🧵

The Home Office has been given permission to challenge a High Court ruling which allowed Palestine Action to appeal against its ban under terror legislation. Yvette Cooper is desperate. Attempting to appeal the Judicial Review before it even takes place. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

Palestine Action: Government can challenge group's appeal against ban

Hundreds of people have been arrested over alleged support for the group, which is banned under terror legislation.

bbc.co.uk

Just this weekend I ended up in a conversation w/ a fellow dog walker about this. They parroted the line of free speech & I confess I was left flummoxed & unsure how to respond. It's worth reading this article & thinking through how you'd respond. bylinetimes.com/2025/08/27/l...

The Martyrdom of Saint Lucy

The right is desperately seeking to make a martyr out of Lucy Connolly in order to distract from the real victims of the hate she helped to spread, argues Otto English

bylinetimes.com

Facilitators say they’re neutral, responsible for process, not content. But what if you’re also a convener with a stake in the discussion? I’ve walked this tightrope. Tips: get a colleague to help, name when you take your “facilitator hat” off, be mindful of influence, & stay transparent.

Ta da! At long last I’ve made a website: www.rosemaryforest.co.uk I help individuals, groups & orgs with: • Collaboration • Consensus building • Advocacy support If you’re working in a coalition or strategy, let’s connect! (PS: chose Squarespace over Wix — see why: boycottwix.org)

Palestine Action have won their bid for a full legal challenge against the British government's decision to ban it as a terrorist group The High Court ruled that an internal Home Office process was "not suitable", partly because "many people now subject to criminal proceedings" linked to the ban

If you’re a campaigner, advocate or changemaker convening others — you want meetings where people actually participate. But that doesn’t always happen — even with thoughtful, committed groups. Today, I’m sharing a 🧵 with a few small, practical tips focused on process and structure:

A little 🧵 on why participation stalls, even when people care. A few weeks ago, I ran a quick poll asking campaigners, advocates & change-makers about the biggest challenges when collaborating in coalitions & informal alliances.

Really practical webinar today re influencing politicians from insiders. Thanks to @nancyplatts.bsky.social Aaron Davidson & Michael Bannister for sharing & @fairsay.bsky.social‬ for organising! A 🧵 on advice that really stood out: #Advocacy #Campaigning

Collaboration in campaigning is essential but let’s be honest, it’s hard. We can’t create change alone. The scale of the challenges cuts across sectors – from protest rights to social security, migration to climate. That’s why collaboration matters. A little 🧵 of thoughts I've been percolating on ⬇️

Such a stark contrast in the number of women who stood together celebrating suffragettes on Wednesday morning, only to vote to prescribe Palestine Action in the evening. x.com/zarahsultana...

Don't sit quietly while the government bans Palestine Action. actionnetwork.org/letters/pale...

URGENT: Write to your MP to oppose the motion to ban Palestine Action

We need as many people as possible to send this to their MPs, asking them to read it and oppose the motion in the house. Please share widely and take 5 minutes to help us. We are all Palestine Actio...

actionnetwork.org

The government has announced it plans to move forward w/ banning Palestine Action. This is a drastic move & makes it a criminal offence to be part of the group. I'd hoped they wouldn't move forward with this threat. It's one more example of just how restricted civic space in the UK is becoming.

📢 Calling campaigners, advocates & change-makers! What’s the biggest collaboration challenge in your coalitions or alliances? I’m creating free resources to help campaigners collaborate better & want to know what would be most useful. Vote in the poll or reply with your thoughts! bit.ly/3ZHV47N

Had a lovely morning w/ @martingilbraith.com & others in our IAF coffee meet up in Stroud. A few highlights: 🐎 Learning that Equine Facilitated Learning is a real thing! 💡 Getting inspiration for how to approach a challenging discussion. ⛱️ Chatting outside in the sunshine with interesting folk!

Consultation guidance for the EHRC guidance. Remember to submit your response as close to the deadline as you can!

TransActual@transactualuk.bsky.social · last yr.

Guidance on responding to the EHRC consultation is now available on our website, made in partnership with others in the LGBTQ+ sector. You'll find it at: transactual.org.uk/equality-act...

Reading with great sadness about the Supreme Court ruling on the definition of women, and today thinking of all the amazing trans women in my life. www.theguardian.com/society/2025...

Gender critical campaigners win at UK supreme court over definition of woman

Judges rule that Equality Act definition excludes transgender women holding gender recognition certificates

theguardian.com

So excited about the first @iafenglandwales.bsky.social & friends meet-up in #Stroud! While I love the folks I've met in London, really keen to connect with more local facilitators.

Martin Gilbraith@martingilbraith.com · 2y ago

Are you interested to meet up with other facilitators and others who facilitate, to connect, share and learn with each other? Join us for coffee and an hour of informal networking, exchange and mutual support, this first time in Stroud! #IAFmeetup www.linkedin.com/events/iaffa...

📣 This is the Work: supporting advocacy and policy folk apply anti-racism and decolonial approaches to their work. Fantastic new resources from Bond, The Advocacy Team & Peace Direct. They are so thoughtfully communicated, much needed and frankly quite powerful resources. bit.ly/4fGpxJ1

Over the last few months I've been working SMK to design a session for trustees to help guide conversations around campaigning regulation and law. I've written a short blog on how this came about, what the offer is (and a bit about me) here: bit.ly/4gTN4aw #campaigning

Guiding you through campaigning governance < Sheila McKechnie Foundation

Guiding trustees through campaigning governance in the Navigating Charity Campaigning guide and commissioned sessions.

bit.ly

Really exited 2 be speaking at this Muslim Charites Forum webinar launching their new resource 'Principles of Advocacy'. I'll be talking about what advocacy is, why it matters & how to approach it strategically to ensure greater impact.. You can register ⬇️ lnkd.in/eYBzrnis