These critical times in our lives are stirring up a lot of powerful emotions and feelings in people - anger, anxiety, confusion, guilt, overwhelm, powerlessness, isolation, indifference, ambivalence or hopelessness or more. Whether in response to the climate and environmental crisis, the social justice crisis, or the whole lot - a crisis of meaning, of purpose, of everything - a metacrisis - these feelings can leave people unable to make sense, or even function day to day. This is understandable, and in fact, quite normal.

Does this resonate with people in your group or organisation? Are people stuck? Would they like to find a way to move forward, with hope?

Then this 1.5 day small group programme for up to 8 people in your organisation or group - online or in person - depending on location - will help to build your motivation, creativity, courage and resolve, moving you from a sense of isolation and confusion to a sense of participation and purpose. With Active Hope.

What is Active Hope?

“Active Hope” is a process we can apply to any situation – there are 3 key steps:

We take in a clear view of reality
We identify what we hope for (desired direction or values)
We take steps to move ourselves or our situation in that direction.

The guiding impetus is intention – and we let intention – not the perceived likelihood of the desired outcome - be our guide.

“Active Hope is a practice.. it is about becoming active participants in bringing about what we hope for. ”

— Joanna Macy & Chris Johnstone

To build active hope we use “The Work That Reconnects” - a way to connect and reconnect with each other and our world.
Based on the teachings of eco-philosopher, teacher and activist Joanna Macy, it is a set of practices and insights, drawn from deep ecology, systems theory and spiritual traditions. It helps us to draw strength, discover new perspectives, gain clarity and find our purpose. And it helps us to appreciate that we can each play a meaningful play in the transformation of our world.

This programme is for groups of:

Friends and community members seeking a significant personal shift towards a sense of purpose and agency so they can build strong relationships for effective support and collaboration
Changemakers inspiring others
Coaches, therapists and consultants supporting individuals and / or changemakers
Any group passionate about our world, sustainability, and regeneration!

Together we will explore:

How “The Work that Reconnects“ can help you - personally and professionally - to face ongoing, challenging times by opening your eyes, mind, and heart.
“Three Stories of our Time” - Business as Usual, the Great Unravelling, and the Great Turning - that will help you to see and understand what is happening in our world, so you can choose go forward.
The “Spiral” – four stages of a transformational journey that you can use regularly to support you to move gently from grief (which can be paralysing or make you manically busy) to a deeper, calmer, sense of purpose and agency - to a place of Active Hope.
The importance of “we” - you are more significant, stronger, creative, and more deeply interconnected - with other human and non-human life - than you may have yet realized. What part can you play in reconnecting and being part of supportive communities?

The first session - a full day - will take you through the above, and the half day four weeks later is for you to reflect on your journey since then, and continue to discover what Active Hope means and looks like for you.

Fee:

The fee depends on the group size, and whether your organisation is a not for profit, or corporate commercial. Please complete the form below for more details.

(Additional private 1:1 coaching and support with me, using the frame of the Work that Reconnects, is available on request, at a fee to be agreed).

Comments from previous Active Hope / WTR events:

"It really helped me to find some resilience and a sense of personal agency around the climate crisis. It was a wonderful day, with wonderful people, skilfully and sensitively facilitated by Linda in a Thinking Environment of course. I can’t recommend it highly enough. If you’re feeling overwhelmed in the face of the climate crisis and world events, perhaps a bit lonely in your feeling of “why is no one doing anything?” and want to take some positive action, I doubt there are many better places to start." (November 2023)

“This offered a beautifully held and welcoming space to connect with each other and reconnect with ourselves. I loved the journey through the spiral, coming away with a greater sense of possibility for our lives with this earth.”

“Good coaching has to be ethical in a sensitive, connected way that enables insightful communication and clarity of curiosity that has a truth and braveness to it. This too is the approach that will bring a truly determined energy to change our business as usual world of human pretence at life into being real life. This workshop has that energy.”

“This was a brilliant introduction to the Work That Reconnects. The mix of theory and practical exercises allowed us to fully experience the work for ourselves, whilst also understanding some of the underpinning theoretical framework. At the end of the day, I felt reconnected with my interest in environmentalism, in a way that was both gentle and powerful.”

“.. a fantastic opportunity and experience, to connect with others, reflect deeply and make sense of my own personal experience in the world today. It was challenging but equally beautiful in the sharing of wonderful conversations with great people. I really appreciated my own learning about gratitude and considering the contribution I can make to a life sustaining society. Super facilitators. Thank you!”

“Linda and Gwyneth were wonderful guides to this empowering and profound work. If anyone is thinking about giving this a try, I would encourage you to just do it - you won't be judged and you will definitely connect with others and be both reassured and inspired.”

NB: This will be a profound and valuable experience but is not intended as a substitute for personal therapy. If you’re experiencing extreme anxiety please contact me via here for a confidential discussion about how you can get the support you need.