Envision has been going since 2004. At that time, I lived in Edinburgh and I'd been working for about ten years in training and development in the voluntary sector. I absolutely loved my work but the idea of going solo really appealed, as it would give me the freedom to work with a wider range of clients and to develop my own skills further.
So, scary as it is to say it, I've now clocked up over 30 years experience in facilitation work with teams and organisations. One of the most pivotal times in my career was during the 1990s, when I was incredibly fortunate to work with inspiring leaders in the disability movement to pioneer person centred approaches to planning and support. This is where my journey with graphic facilitation began. Since then, I've never stopped drawing and using visuals to help foster creativity, facilitate inclusive processes and achieve positive outcomes for individuals and groups.
My first degree was in English Literature and French at Edinburgh Uni, then, whilst I was working I picked up other qualifications in counselling (COSCA), mediation, facilitation and consultancy (Craighead Institute). Twelve years ago, when my children were small and I had relocated to Yorkshire but found I didn't want to travel so much, I decided to train as a primary school teacher.
I loved teaching and I still do some supply teaching work but my main focus is back on Envision now and I have fallen in love with graphic faclitation all over again. It's changed a bit, with the advent of some amazing digital tools and I have forced myself to learn to work grapihcally on an iPad (which I now actually really enjoy). Essentialy, though, the power and the magic is in having a human being in the room, listening intently to the said and the unsaid and creating a live, in -the-moment record of conversations and connections.
"Helen had a great rapport with the project team and the community. She listened sensitively and her drawings encouraged nuanced conversations at all levels and teased out the detail of many important themes. I can highly recommend Helen as the right graphic facilitator for your next event and will be working with her for the future of this project."
Rachel Palmer, SSE Renewables.
