Facilitation

Facilitation is a skilled way of working with people that enables and empowers them to think critically in order to identify needs and to find effective ways of meeting those needs, Facilitation encourages greater participation and responsibility for decisions within a group while also enabling the individuals within the group to come to value their own expertise and skills.

Post Polio Support Group members take a lead in implementing their new strategic plan with some help from Dee

My own style of facilitation is very much based on acknowledging the experience and expertise within the group and providing a safe and supportive space for participants to do whatever work is required from team building, to review, planning and conflict resolution. I engage in ongoing training and in recent years have acquired new skills in the following areas:
Appreciative Enquiry which is a positive-focused approach, which looks at what’s going right in order to solve problems
Technology of Participation is an approach developed by Institute of Cultural Affairs Brussels and now used worldwide that uses simple conversational approach to create solutions that represent a groups best thinking, and promotes deeper understanding of and commitment to decisions and directions
Results Based Accountability is a framework that provides step-by-step methods that turn data into action. Starting with quality of life conditions (called “results”), agencies and cross-agency partnerships identify indicators, produce trend lines, consider best practice, and develop strategies, action plans and budgets that are then implemented, monitored and continuously improved.
Asset Based Community Development is a large and growing movement that considers local assets as the primary building blocks of sustainable community development. Building on the skills of local residents, the power of local associations, and the supportive functions of local institutions, asset-based community development draws upon existing community strengths to build stronger, more sustainable communities for the future.

I now bring these powerful and, easy to use tools to my facilitation to provide practical yet transformative support to groups who are focused on addressing their own specific opportunities, needs and challenges

A sample of Facilitated Sessions For Change on offer for 2012

PROJECT EVALUATION

STRATEGIC PLANNING

REVIEW & PLANNING WORKSHOP

TEAM COACHING

YOUTHWORK RESOURCES

TEAM RETREAT

Contact Dee @ 086 8539227 or email dee@facilitation-coaching.com to plan a full or half day session to meet the particular requirements of your group.

Videos

Downloads

Two really useful guides if you want to develop your own facilitation skills are:

Up Front And All Alone
An illustrated guide to facilitating workshops and chairing meetings by Douglas Urquhart
Click here to download

Developing Facilitation Skills
A Handbook for Group Facilitators by Patricia Prendiville
Click here to download

Testimonials

“Dee facilitated the Kilkenny Cohesion process over a two year period which resulted in the establishment of one new company responsible for integrated local development in the county. Dee's work was always professional with great attention to detail and excellent organizational skills”

Joan Fitzpatrick, Chairperson, County Kilkenny Leader Partnership Company

"During the restructuring of the Post Polio Support Group Dee was undertaking a task for another organisation that asked for cooperation. It quickly became apparent that she had a talent and empathy with our membership and quickly became a valued member of our project team. She works well with people and at ease and allows them to participate in a way that makes them feel they are in control of their own destiny. Dee's facilitation skills are impressive and she can command the attention of a room of over 60 people with ease and a rare professionalism that few possess. Her preparation is thorough and allows outcomes to be achieved and delivered. Would we use her again, a very positive yes and we are. No regrets in working with her, the only regret we did not find her and work with her before. "

John R McFarlane, Chair, Board of Trustees and Directors

“Dee was recruited to facilitate the coming together of the various community networks in Crumlin to work as a combined community network for the Dublin 12 area. Dee worked through a very difficult process in a professional and intuitive way as she drew out the spoken and unspoken underlying issues within the group. Dee took command of the sessions to progress to the next step and has delivered an excellent report on the way forward for the combined network”

Breda Quinn, Co-ordinator Crumlin Community Network

“Deirdre Hennessey supported a DFI project with five of our member organisations in relation to how they listen to the needs of people with disabilities; Deirdre’s work was thorough, grounded and insightful. Deirdre’s commitment and tenacity greatly contributed to the success of the project.”

Allen Dunne, Chief Executive Officer

“External Supervision has been very beneficial to the staff team and management of Traveller Family Care. It has helped the team to obtain support and guidance in relation to their work. Dee has been great in terms of team building, helping us to look at how we function as a team and reflect on particular interventions used as part of our work. It has also helped us to refocus and move on, to see how we can engage in new options and to raise issues at management”

Patricia Dowling, Director of Services, Traveller Family Care Limited

Profile

My educational background includes Bacc Phil, BD, Dip Social Care, Dip Women’s Studies, Dip Advanced Facilitation Skills, and Dip Coaching. I am currently enrolled in a two year Spiritual Direction Course with Anamcharadas.

I have over twenty years experience across the Youth, Community, Social Care, and Disability Sectors. Some of my experience is in adult education and I have designed and delivered courses for University College Cork, National University of Ireland Maynooth and Waterford Institute of Technology.

I have provided training and support to a broad range of organisations, and delivered many external evaluations and strategic plans, as well as tailored responses to specific challenges faced by local, regional and national organisations.

Over the years I have developed my own style of facilitation and coaching which have been very successful in helping many individuals and groups to meet their particular developmental needs.

Facilitation & Coaching

Dee Hennessy – Working With You For Change…

Facilitation

A sample of Facilitated Sessions For Change on offer for 2012

Videos

Downloads