Publication liee a l'activite
How to Lead Listening Circles
7 Aug 2026 - 11:00
Listening Circles enable all participants to share their thoughts and feelings in a confidential, supportive group. We have chosen to face the climate emergency and to step outside our comfort zone and take action about it, we are also having to handle our feelings and those of others around the issues of climate change. This can bring up strong, often painful emotions—hard things in the present often triggering earlier traumas and feelings can be confusing. Releasing painful emotions helps us to think better and be more effective in our work.
Why Listening?Being listened to by someone with a friendly, warm, and non-judgmental attitude helps people review their thinking, express how they’re feeling, and unload feelings that get in the way of thinking and action. It’s important to allow space for the talker and not interrupt the flow. Talking, tears, laughing, trembling, indignation, yawning, are all ways of getting rid of some of the weight and intensity of what we’re feeling – there’s something very healing about it. This sort of listening tends not to happen in everyday conversations. When a clear space is organised for each person to speak everyone can relax a bit. It’s good to share this valuable resource fairly.