Art of Hosting is the foundational practice that has informed how we have held PTC in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole and as requested by the Commission as part of our embedding phase we hosted a training event in March 2024 to share these practices with other people and organisations across Dorset.

The training was facilitated by a team of experienced Art of Hosting Practitioners from across UK/Europe, supported by the BCP Poverty Truth team. A group of 35 individuals from around Dorset (and further afield) came together at BCHA’s Factory to train in the Art of Hosting and Harvesting Conversations that Matter.

Together we spoke of ‘humanising the process’ and ‘nurturing the soil’, creating the right environment for culture-changing ideas to grow: An environment that champions slowing down to have meaningful conversations and listening to the wisdom of experience, especially in times of crisis. 

We worked with Appreciative Inquiry to give us a fresh perspective to explore creative possibilities – starting with what’s strong, not what’s wrong.

Over the three days the participants built relationships, learnt new skills and techniques to improve and enhance their working practices such as Circle, Open Space, World Cafe, Living Systems and Designing for Wiser Action.

This new community of Art of Hosting practitioners will carry all this forward into their own communities and organisations. It’s exciting to think of what brave ideas and courageous actions will emerge.

CONTACT

If you have any questions about this training please contact aoh@povertytruthbcp.org