The School of Facilitation

I created SOF because I am really passionate about how learning is designed and delivered. Good things happen when you bring likeminded individuals together from the world of training, facilitation and coaching to learn, to grow, to share and connect

We also support businesses who have a passion and desire to develop their facilitation and training talent internally.

What SOF do?
      - Host classes and events that bring new ideas, skills and ways to facilitate, train or design 
      - Work with corporates to design learning and coach in-house trainers and facilitators
      - Create global sales solutions for corporates
      - Create awesome networks of facilitators, trainers, coaches and consultants who come together to connect, learn and share through our regular gatherings in Winchester, London and The Midlands
       - Have an annual Christmas Lunch as celebrating a year well done, on your own, with your party hat is frankly boring and sad!

Founder

Blutortoise Ltd

Sales coach working with companies to grow and release the potential of their commercial managers and leaders.

Specialise in working with large multinationals to develop their Sales Academy's and roll out to markets either locally or globally.

A big passion for training coaches, trainers and line managers to facilitate with impact and confidence.

Sales Coach

expression for growth

As an Associate I deliver Precision Selling and Coaching for Success programmes. 
I work with global FMCG clients and their commercial and sales teams.

Coach

Diageo

Part of a three man team who managed the Diageo Way of Selling agenda.  A global program that enabled people to build their commercial skills.

Global Sales Capability Manager

Diageo GB

Commercial development manager

Bass Plc

Graduate

We do two things very well
1. Create community, connection and learning spaces for freelance trainers and facilitators to be brilliant when working with their own clients
2. Support LnD teams to design and deliver learning that is purposeful, engaging, with a sense of safety and ownership 

1.
Are you a coach, facilitator, trainer, or consultant? 
Run workshops, manage meetings, deliver training? 

Have you left the corporate world and missing a community of like-minded souls? 
People you can chat to about your work, who get what you are going through? 
Someone you can ask for help or share ideas?
The SOF Collective is a community space to connect, learn and share.  
We have free monthly community pods, quarterly gatherings in-person, online workshops.
Even a Christmas Party and Mountain Retreat.

2.
Our work with corporate has a few faces.
* coaching LnD teams to design impactful workshops and learning
* support in-house trainers to be more aware of their delivery style and approach through purposeful practise
* providing facilitators and trainers to deliver learning or workshops that's been designed in-house
* and the secret sauce which is designing sales and sales coaching programmes

Checkout the website, drop me a DM, let's have a chat

SOFest Speakers

The 2025 bunch were unique. 
They were the first.
They said YES when I asked them to get involved even though they had NO idea what they were saying YES too.

Romy Alexandra stepped up and was THE first ever speaker at SOFest and Clare Walkeden MCIPR Dip. Coach closed the show and had us crying.

💯Hayley Brackley spoke even though every part of her brain was questioning her former selfs decision making process.

Caroline Boyd I told her she had to speak on the world of the Associate as her research is very compelling, whilst Erica Farmer inspired us to consider AI in LnD.

Murray Cowell and Sneha M. challenged us to look at our business operations and how we find clients.

Tess Cope 🦋 and Dr. Saiyyidah Zaidi helped us explore our relationships with self and clients.

and Victor Sosanya brought the Gen Z energy to the room.

Faris talked me into icebreaker Olympics which I am still recovering from.

what will you speak about at SOFest2026?

there are three themes
💜 Facilitation
💜 Business
💜 You

Here is the speaker pack and inside a link to apply.
https://lnkd.in/euZ2xuvv

Come get involved, build YOUR facilitator and trainer community, and grow.

See you in the field 🌱

Hanne, Phil Louise 💯Hayley

Kirsty Lewis

Founder of School of Facilitation. Teaching workshop design, fantastic facilitation & training trainers make my 💜 sing. Podcaster|Host of Gatherings & the community pod|Flourishing Facilitator.

SOFest Speakers and Workshop Hosts final call

ok whose in?

Who wants to speak at an AWARD winning learning event in 2026?

Who wants to share something they know will make a difference to how other facilitators and trainers think, act or behave?

Who loves doing their own learning AND wants to do it in a field with 99 other people?

SOFest is like no other learning event in the UK.

Firstly it's outside, in the countryside, with a lake, campfire, communal meals, and glamping tents.

Next up the speakers and workshop hosts are all from the SOF community, everyone is there because they are invested in their own development, growing their business, or working more effectively with stakeholders.

Everyone is contributing financially. This is relevant, we are all equal, we all have skin in the game. No prima donna's on the stage being paid to speak and then leaving.

There are Impact tickets available for those from the global majority, LGTBQ+, low income, under 30.....come talk to me if this is you OR you want to sponsor a place (we need sponsors)

If you want to speak or host a workshop follow the relevant links in the comments below.

We would love to see you there.

Hanne Kristiansen Phil Walsh 💯Hayley Brackley Louise Lyons-Appiah 

@Nathy Ravez Alexandre Eisenchteter Said Saddouk Mehdi En-Naizi Pedram Parasmand

SOFest WORKSHOPS

In 2025 14 adventurous facilitators, trainers and people with passion and expertise trusted my sales pitch.

I think I wooed them down zoom with a promise of nurturing conversations and 99 other like-minded people to connect with.

I probably then said there will be space and time for themselves to go deeper into their businesses, their facilitation practise and to lie beneath a tree or song around the campfire.

Some people needed a little encouragement that their thing was what others wanted to explore and some got it from the start.

There are four workshop zones

📑 Client Corner
📈 Business Lab
🤸🏻‍♂️ The Playground
💜 Heart Centre

Each workshop is 75 minutes long, under canvas, flipcharts and pens vs Slides and screens!
And one very engaged audience!

Big shout out to last year's workshop hosts
Remi Baker FRSA Naomi Graham MCC Murray Cowell Sneha M. Hanne Kristiansen Melanie Martinelli Nicole Duckworth, PCC Cat Hase 💡 Hari Patience-Davies Rachel Allan PCC CPCC

https://lnkd.in/emMAbWYy

COMMUNITY 

an essential ingredient to live your life well as a freelance facilitate or trainer.

the people who lift you up, listen, ask the awkward questions, the people who celebrate with you....

The SOF Collective is one third of the business. it's a space for you to meet like-minded souls....

Want to dive deeper into your design and delivery journey as a facilitator or trainer?
checkout The Flourishing Facilitator, four month program, starting early Feb 2026. still time to grab the early 🐦 price....

3 spaces left....you coming to play?

Flourishing Facilitator

Running your own business is empowering.
But... it can also be quiet.

No team to bounce ideas off.
No one to sense-check pricing or workshop designs.
No after-session debriefs over a cuppa.

That’s where The Flourishing Facilitator comes in.

It’s more than a programme. It’s a place to feel seen, supported, and surrounded by people who get it.

Because you don’t have to do it all alone - and honestly? You’re not meant to.

The Flourishing Facilitator is a four-month learning journey that starts with a 2-day residential in February and ends with another 2-day residential in May.

Throughout your journey, you'll take part in monthly group calls, a live workshop design class, and 1:1 coaching sessions - all designed to help you grow your confidence, deepen your practice, and gain clarity on your unique facilitation style.

This is a space to explore the how and why behind what you do, refine your skills with intention, and walk away with new tools, feedback, and a stronger sense of purpose in your work.

https://lnkd.in/eDxi2DUx

CHRISTMAS GATHERING

Many of us work alone and celebrating another year in our businesses alone, is quite frankly a sad state of affairs.

SO

this is your invitation to join either the virtual gathering on 5th December (Canada/America timezone friendly)

or come to Leamington Spa on 4th December.

we will be pausing, reflecting, celebrating and cheering each other on.

details in post below

Meg, Jill Carolina Emma Dave Deborah Ashley Cate Said Lucy Micah Laura Seb Alexandra

Facilitators + trainers - it’s nearly that time!⁠
⁠
Our legendary SOF Christmas Gathering is back, and you're invited 🥂⁠
⁠
This is your chance to:⁠
⁠
Reflect on the year⁠
Set juicy intentions for 2026⁠
Tuck into a delicious festive lunch⁠
And hang out with your people⁠
⁠
Choose your location:⁠
⁠
📍 MIDLANDS – 4th Dec @ The Fat Pug, Leamington Spa⁠
📍 VIRTUAL – 5th Dec - 1330 - 1600 GMT⁠
📍 LONDON - SOLD OUT!⁠
⁠
Come as you are (Christmas jumpers optional but encouraged 😉)⁠
⁠
Let’s laugh, connect, and wrap up the year in true SOF style.⁠
⁠
Limited spots (London is already sold out)
https://lnkd.in/eJfUzSTs

BEST PODCAST CONVO EVER

When the interviewer rocks up and says ...not feeling great, might have had a fun night out......I knew our chat was going to be epic.

I have never laughed so much in an interview. the stories @tom bailey extracted from me reminded me of some great times in my past and present.

also like to think I share some ideas, wise words and encouragement for those in LnD, facilitation and training.

Go give your ears a treat today!

Senior Leader in Learning & Development | AITD NSW Council President | L&D pro of the year 2025 | Transformative Leadership in Capability Building | Proven Success in Global Organisations | ICF ACC Coach

Rogue L&D podcast episode - Kirsty Lewis

This is definitely one of the funniest episodes I have done, I sat down with the brilliant Kirsty who runs School of Facilitation and #sofest which I really want to get along to! Kirsty tells excellent stories about her practice and what she has learned along the way, and is such an inspiration. Its well worth a listen 

🛝 Great workshops start with structure, story, and emotional energy — not slides.
🦾 Even L&D pros need people who “get it.”
💭 Great workshops start with structure, story, and emotional energy — not slides..

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