Virtual Facilitation: Same Goals, New Methods
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COVID-19 has required so many of us to change the ways we go about our business, hobbies, and lives. Here at Facilitation Wellington Dufferin we have been carefully considering what Facilitation means in a physically distanced world and how we can best facilitate and support the people we serve going forward.
Some of our facilitators have been virtually supporting people and their families throughout this time, and we are learning together how to connect and support people in building their best lives virtually.
Still, you might be wondering: What does virtual facilitation look like?
Virtual Facilitation Strategies
Facilitation is as diverse as the people we serve are. Facilitation never looks the same for any two people, and is driven by those individuals’ preferences, circumstances and communication styles. However, here is a list of some of the ways people have been working with their FWD facilitators:
-Video message exchanges and chats
-Real-time messaging and/or video calls on multiple platforms (e.g. WhatsApp, Messenger, Zoom)
-Real-time virtual activities
-Activity materials pick up and drop off
-Facilitated three-way conversations with mentors
-Virtual support circles with friends and family
-Information and resource sharing
-Emails
For example, one of our facilitators, Judith, regularly talks with the people she serves by recording video messages back and forth to accommodate literacy challenges. She works with people to identify their needs and goals, using information they find online as a jumping off point for deeper conversations. She also drives to their houses to drop off activities that fit with the goals and needs they’ve identified. These activities often engage the people she works with in their wider community, such as creating an art project to donate to a front-line worker appreciation rock garden. She supports people as they become excited about the future and their goals, and provides them with the means to work towards their goals in community even in these times of physical distancing.
Some beautiful rocks created for a front-line worker appreciate rock garden
Benefits of Virtual Facilitation
While we hope to return to in-person facilitation and activities when it is safe and possible to do so, we have found that there are many benefits to virtual facilitation. Everyone prefers different things, and some people are finding that virtual facilitation is an even better match for them than meeting face to face. It allows for more flexible scheduling, focused engagements, and fewer distractions. so virtual facilitation may not work for all of our clients, but it can also be an improvement over the old normal for some of the folks we serve.
It also allows facilitators connect with people in a more balanced way. Online spaces are an even playing field, and some people feel more comfortable meeting virtually than inviting facilitators coming into their home. It allows families who may not have the time or energy to support activities outside of the home to still receive valuable facilitation and support. Families may also find it easier to be involved in facilitation activities. Virtual facilitation allows us to bring in family and community support from anywhere as there are no geographic barriers.
Finally, virtual facilitation can help us better connect with people who are less comfortable with in-person communication, or who are just more comfortable when they have time and space to think about how and what they want to communicate. It allows our facilitators to reach out and support people without them feeling a need to respond. Everyone is going through a tough time right now and we understand that. We want to support people where they are at, even if that means we are just reaching out with an encouraging message.
The Bottom Line
The bottom line is that facilitation is about finding strategies that work for the people we serve and that meet their needs. That is the basis of our motto: “Your Life, Your Way”. Engaging in virtual facilitation allows us to create broader strategies for serving a wider range of needs and that can only be a good thing!
If you think virtual facilitation might be right for you, we encourage you to reach out and contact us. Facilitation is covered through government passport funding (more information here). We want to help you and members of your family and community meet your goals and help your loved ones do the same. Facilitation is more than just activities, it is about getting to deep values and goals based on connection with and knowledge of a person. There are many ways to support even a single person, and its our goal is to offer all of them to you.