Structure

The entire workshop is conducted as a Median Group, although the way it is used varies. This approach matches practice by bringing the whole learning community together.

de Maré thought the Median Group was the best place to learn how to be in a Large Group. It is thought of as an in between place that provides an opportunity to bridge experiences from society and the family and vice versa so that socio-political history, theory and life can be linked with personal history. Discovering how these three areas inter-relate enables new connections to emerge into the foreground providing the possibility of learning through experience.

These are spaces for thinking together about theoretical content as it arises through the work during the weekends and between the weekends. Everyone is encouraged to take a role in presenting and suggesting theoretical questions for discussion.

Anyone from any background wishing to include people in decision-making, peace-making, consultation processes, bridging racial, cultural and religious divides, or tackling local or global challenges. For example, if you are working in a school or higher education, local government, prison or probation service, social work or trade union, with youth and community development, as a management consultant, in a therapeutic community, or struggling to survive in the NHS, or as clergy, politician or civil servant, you can expect these workshops to give you quite new perspectives.

To aid keeping in touch the group has its own Slack workspace, Canto Hondo, meaning Deep Song. Do download it on to your smart phone, iPad or computer to keep in touch with announcements also. This is the primary mode of written communication. It is safer than email.

These are groups where we talk about our ideas taking for developing our learning beyond the workshops. These  operate group-analytically, that is to say, each person draws from the group what they need and contribute what they can. It is not a logical process, each person having an equal amount of time but a free-floating associative dynamic, where meaning and new ideas emerge spontaneously. Phrases such as, "This reminds me of.." enables members to think together about their own and each other's work and learning. It is what many people refer to as a parallel process. The emerging dynamic may not only resonate with a similar dynamic in the situations that are being described but also, enable reflection on the experience of conducting a larger group where, initially at least, there appears to be no logic. That, like daisies growing in the grass takes time to emerge into the light.

We begin each morning with an hour-long social dreaming session. Through this experience there is an opportunity to find connections between day time conscious thought and night time unconscious dreaming. It provides powerful support for the rest of the work.

As Gordon Lawrence, who conceptualised much of the theory explains, "The surreal narrative will often contain the bright idea that would elude us while awake".

It is suggested that you keep a Reflective Diary to help you track  your progress. At the end of each year we will ask you to present a short reflective piece in whatever form you choose to the whole group. It can be a story, a short film, a poem, or a collection of drawings, what ever works for you. It should conclude with some thoughts about what you feel still needs development.