Rosemary Forest

ToP Group Facilitation Methods training - London Group Facilitation Methods training - London

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-...

'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

'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...

stationary thieves :(

Eek! Another great reason to have a co-facilitator!

oh wow that's intense!

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 🧵

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.

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...

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

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...

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

Embrace the awkwardness!

Things to consider when asking intentional, inclusive questions...

Simple shifts in format that create space for more voices...

What to include in advance communication to support participation?

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:

Low participation isn’t just frustrating — it’s a warning sign. But if we understand why it’s happening, we can start designing spaces that make it easier to show up, speak up, and share the load.

🫀Capacity
Sometimes, it’s just about where people are at — individually and collectively.
• People are burned out or overstretched — they want to show up, but can’t offer more
• They don’t feel confident they “know enough” to contribute
• They’re too tired or overwhelmed to engage meaningfully

⚖️Power & Dynamics.
Power dynamics can show up when:
• Ppl aren't empowered to speak on behalf of their org
• Ppl feel unsure of their role or intimidated by others
• A few dominant voices take up space
• There’s a lack of diversity in the room, or microaggressions that make ppl feel unwelcome

⚙️ 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀 & 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝘂𝗰𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲
Sometimes, the way the group meets doesn’t support participation. Eg:
• People don’t know what to expect
• The format doesn’t invite input
• Questions aren’t clear or feel too broad

I think it’s worth unpacking: why does this happen, even in groups full of passionate and committed people? From what I’ve seen (as both a facilitator and a participant), there are three main sets of reasons:

The top answer was 𝗹𝗼𝘄 𝗽𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗶𝗽𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗼𝗿 𝗶𝗻𝗽𝘂𝘁.
Not people failing to show up, but showing up and staying silent. No comments. No questions. Cameras off. No feedback.

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 advice that feels like common sense – but it’s amazing how often we forget it. I mean, how likely are you to respond to something generic when you’re busy? Probably not very. MPs are people too (easy to forget sometimes!).

🛞Be persistent (or as Michael put it: be a squeaky wheel)
🎨 Get creative in how you engage.

👥Get to know MPs’ staff – and build relationships with them. They’re the ones reading and filtering your messages and often the ones drafting letters, speeches, and parliamentary questions. Don’t overlook them!

▶️ Start personalising your approach
  • Identify what you have in common
  • Do your research.

As well as APPGs, Select Committees, EDMs, check out
🧭Parliamentary Search Tool
🔎TheyWorkForYou
📝 ‪@hansardsociety.bsky.social‬
💻 MP's websites and social media!

❌ Stop sending mass emails. Just don't do it! MPs get thousands of emails and something generic will just get ignored.