Since 1999 I have been delivering training in community settings across N. Ireland.

This has included advocacy training, fund raising, conflict resolution, personal development, suicide awareness training, monitoring and evaluation, governance and networking and facilitation skills.

I am currently delivering Essential Skills classes in Northern Regional College, and at local community centres.

I am also teaching GCSE English in South Eastern Regional College.

In my former post in Carers Northern Ireland, I designed and arranged training to empower and support carers. I also created networking opportunities for carers groups to help them gain skills and improve the service they offer to carers. I worked at mainstreaming Carers, helping to develop the skills to liaise effectively with planners, community development and training teams within the Trust and other agencies.

Over the past ten years, I have gained the knowledge and skills required to design and deliver training in a voluntary or community sector organisation and to enhance personal effectiveness. Because of the experience I have have gained as a local trainer, I have developed a methodology of community based facilitation and training which has delivered effective outcomes and has assisted community groups to develop and enhance their growth and sustainability.

I use a mixture of training and facilitation approaches including workshops, seminars, team building days, away days, residentials and have built up successful relationships with other trainers in Northern Ireland.

Since 1999, I have designed and delivered training in the Community and Voluntary Sector. I have supported my groups in their learning pathways and my areas of expertise include leadership, management, group development, fundraising and strategic planning and governance training.

I also sit as a  community representative on local bodies and I have received training on leadership, governance and community development.

In January 2009, I will be starting a course in the Beeches on “Sharpening Your Facilitation Skills”.

This will be an ideal opportunity to reflect on my Facilitation Skills and to enhance my overall effectiveness as a Facilitator. The keys areas are :

Reflection on the role of the Facilitator

Exploration of the dynamics of group work

Introduction to a range of tools/techniques which the Facilitator can use.

All this valuable training can be adapted for use in the community. I am constantly expanding my facilitation and leadership skills and am always looking for opportunities to gain new skills which can be passed on.