Facilitation

You can tell when you’re in a meeting that feels busy and well-intentioned, but somehow lacks clarity.

The conversation circles and the same voices dominate.

Important things sit just under the surface, unsaid.

There’s often a quiet frustration in the room, because people don’t feel seen or heard in the way they want to.

That’s where an external facilitator makes a real difference.

For over twenty years (yes, it’s true) I’ve been designing and holding facilitated spaces for organisations and groups working with complexity and change.

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What happens next

When the conversation is held differently, something shifts.

  • People stop talking past one another and start listening

  • Quieter perspectives have room to surface

  • What really matters comes into focus

As the thinking deepens:

  • Groups arrive at shared understanding and consensus

  • Decisions feel less forced and more owned

  • People leave feeling lighter, clearer, and excited about what comes next

People often describe me as a safe pair of hands. Someone who can hold the space with steadiness and care, especially when the conversation feels complex or uncertain.

I am passionate about creating spaces where people can hear themselves think, where they feel seen and heard, and where conversations can move beyond familiar or limiting ways of thinking.

Practices I draw from

My facilitation practice is informed by a small number of well-established approaches that I return to again and again, adapting them thoughtfully to the people, purpose, and context in the room.

  • Creating conditions where people can think for themselves, without interruption, pressure, or agenda-driven listening.

  • Structured peer conversations that support reflection, insight, and practical movement on real challenges.cription text goes here

  • Using simple hand-drawn visuals to surface patterns, clarify complexity, and help groups see what they already know.escription text goes here

  • Enabling inclusive participation so insight doesn’t default to the loudest or most confident voices

  • Supporting groups to surface shared meaning, organise complexity, and reach clear, collective decisions.

  • Keeping people, values, and lived experience at the heart of the work, ensuring that processes serve human needs rather than systems alone.

  • 'Shakti Women's Aid would highly recommend Erner for any team-building session or other staff day scenario. She made sure that our large group, with our many diverse opinions and backgrounds and skills, all felt that they were heard and valued. The exercises she gave our groups seemed unusual; they turned out to be fun, collaborative, and to highlight our strengths.'

    Girijamba Polubothu, Chief Executive, Shakti Women's Aid

  • 'Having first met Emer on a training course - which we thoroughly enjoyed - we knew she was just the person to facilitate our strategy development sessions. We wanted something engaging and creative that not only made us think outside of the box, but took us out of our comfort zone in a really productive way. We couldn't recommend Emer highly enough!'

    Nicky Reid, CEO, Scottish Professional Football League Trust

  • 'Thank you Emer for encouraging and supporting the Champions to develop their roles, their stories and their voices and for the wonderful project art.'

    Tressa Burke, CEO | Glasgow Disability Alliance

Working together

If you’re planning a session and want to explore whether my approach is right for your group, you’re welcome to get in touch.

We can have a simple, exploratory conversation about what you need, and whether it feels like a good fit..

Get in touch