What other people say and do affects us constantly, whether they are family, friends, neighbours or colleagues. These relationships can be wonderful. They can also be difficult, confusing, stressful and tiring.
Let’s Talk can help. Everyone in this Frome community group has had some simple training in Restorative Conversations and learned some skills which have made a big difference.
We have a printed toolkit which explains some of those skills so that you can use them too. They might help you change a difficult conversation into a useful one, or help you work through something worrying with a family member or a neighbour.
We also offer a short workshop in these essential tools, run throughout the year (see details below for upcoming workshops). Let’s Talk can deliver these workshops to community or neighbourhood groups and organisations too, so please enquire if you’d like to discuss booking something in.
If you’re experiencing something a little more complicated in your neighbourhood, organisation or community group, get in touch. We might be able to support you with some facilitated meetings to help move a stuck situation forward.
If you’re interested in joining the group or finding out more, please email Hannah Stopford, Frome Town Council’s Community Development Officer, at hstopford@frometowncouncil.gov.uk.
Forthcoming dates
Tackling Tricky Conversations workshops 2024
The Let’s Talk group will be holding a series of free ‘Tackling Tricky Conversations’ workshops at Frome Town Hall. The workshops aim to improve communication, making you more confident and better equipped to tackle tricky conversations. Workshops run from 6.30pm to 8pm.
Thursday 27th June: ‘I’ messaging
This session is designed to offer tools to help you open a tricky conversation in a way that is most likely to lead to a positive outcome.
‘I’ messaging is a tried and tested approach for those who are experiencing conflict with anyone in their lives, from a family member, neighbour or colleague. By opening a conversation that comes from your own perspective, the other person is less likely to feel blamed or attacked.
Learning how to slow down, identify your feelings and take this initiative can enable you to build confidence in dealing with all kinds of emotional situations in your life.
Book for the session on 27th June
Thursday 25th July: Introduction to Circles
Restorative circles offer a way of building relationships in a team or group and in addressing potential disagreement or conflict that may be arising. They allow us hear each other and understand each other’s needs with empathy and compassion. This 75-minute session will provide you with an introduction to the different ways of using restorative circles. There will also be an opportunity to take part in a circle if that is of interest to you.
Book for the session on 25th July
Thursday 26th September: Reflective Practice
Details to follow
Thursday 31st October: TBC
Thursday 28th November: TBC
Previous sessions
Thursday 30th May: Boundaries
This session will explore what we mean when we talk about boundaries and how they can be both a vehicle for connection and for protection. We will discover the different types of boundaries you may want to set, unpick what gets in the way of us asserting and defending them, and delve into some real life examples to bring our learning to life.
