Ready to apply inclusive community building principles to your business? Here are some of our favourite training programmes to get you started.
At We Create Space, we see the transformative power of community every single day. Real change—whether it’s cultural, personal or organizational—doesn’t happen in isolation. For organisations striving to build a more inclusive, engaged, and thriving workplace, we believe community-building isn’t just a solution. It’s an integral foundation. The art and science of community-building is key to shaping culture, driving inclusion, increasing engagement and sustaining wellbeing.
In our recent guide Community Building 101: Our Top 30 Considerations, we identified Inclusion as one of three key pillars supporting community building. Think of the considerations as skills to be learned, honed, and practiced and these are our top 10 most common programmes to upskill employees.
All of our events, training programmes and corporate solutions are fully bespoke, delivered by our global team of experts, and tailored to the needs of our clients. Don't be afraid to get in touch if you're looking for something not on this list!
Make sure to also check out our 'Community Building 101’ events, which explore key factors for successful community development. Each session will provide actionable strategies & tools to promote effective change, collective learning, workplace culture & shared values. We will also discuss how grassroots principles can be applied in corporate settings, through three key pillars: Inclusion, Wellbeing, & Leadership.
Register for our upcoming WCS Community Building 101: 'Inclusion' event with Trans+ History Week & QUEERAF on Thursday 20th March.
1. Creating Cultures of Belonging
Diverse representation in any community can only happen when there is a sense of belonging across all people. The session highlights the creation of inclusive working environments, the business case for inclusion, the managerial role in fostering inclusivity, ERGs (Employee Resource Groups), and tips to build communities as diverse as possible. The overarching theme is a reminder that diversity and inclusion are responsibilities for everyone, not just marginalized groups.
2. Designing & Executing Accessible Events
When we work to remove barriers, we create communities that are accessible for all. This workshop aims to equip participants with the knowledge and skills necessary to design and execute events that are inclusive and accessible for all attendees. They will be equipped with practical tools and strategies to foster an inclusive environment, ensuring that all attendees feel valued and engaged. When you have diverse representation, you are better equipped to understand the accessibility needs and challenges others face.
3. My Intersectionality, Power & Privilege
Everyone has intersecting identities, but for many people, their sexual orientation or gender identity overlaps with other aspects of their identity (e.g. their race, religion or social status), compounding in increased levels of marginalisation and discrimination. This session explores the origins of intersectionality and how navigating these intersections can present unique challenges and opportunities. We’ll help participants identify their own power and privilege and how to utilise it in service of others. Building intersectional communities creates positive long term impact for peoples careers as discussed across Employee Resource Groups at Omnicom via their membership with We Create Space.
A free e-learning course for those wanting to deepen their understanding of LGBTQ+ identities with the goal of creating more inclusive workplaces, communities and societies. This course will benefit those who already have some knowledge or understanding of LGBTQ+ identities, but who wish to further their allyship journey and as a four part accredited course it’s perfect for ongoing education efforts.
5. Navigating Data and Intersectionality.
Everyone wants to collect data but how we use this information to best serve our communities is often vague. This session aims to provide better understanding of the different forms of data and analytics used to explore gaps to DEI. We explore guidance to process data contextually and inform meaningful actions and discuss practical ways to prepare and equip your organisation to act on data efficiently. Participants will learn how to apply an intersectional lens to capture important experiential insights. We can utilise our annual Community Survey and Community Action Plan and learnings from other clients to give real world examples on how to put the pieces of the puzzle together.
6. Breaking Down Bias
Everyone has bias, both unconscious and conscious, and needs help to understand the foundations of bias, recognise its harmful effects on decision-making, and explore ways to challenge automatic thinking patterns. The ultimate goal is to facilitate a more diverse, inclusive, and open work environment through awareness, self-reflection, and practical tools for rewiring our thought process. For example, JTI operates in 127 different countries and We Create Space developed a four-pronged strategy to address JTI's goals including a specific focus on Regional Development & Chapter Growth and Diversity within Diversity.
7. Developing Compassion and Emotional Intelligence
When you’re growing a community of any kind, it’s important to think about how that individual wants to be treated rather than only how you would want to be treated. A session supporting participants with looking inwards to create greater self awareness and identify areas of growth potential. Enhanced understanding of ourselves unlocks the ability to be a more compassionate leader. This session will consider how corporate cultures of perfectionism and a lack of compassionate role modelling in the workplace affects how we think of leadership, as we set out to challenge the status quo and inspire employees to feel more connected to one another. When you have cultures of belonging and compassion, you create safe spaces.
8. Creating Psychological Safety
"Research in recent years from Gartner, Gallup and Harvard Business Review found that the benefits of a high psychological safety at work include: 27% reduction in turnover, 50% more productivity, and. 74% less stress.” This session focuses on the importance of fostering psychologically safe environments - spaces that reward vulnerability, drive innovation and generate cultures of belonging - where individuals from all backgrounds feel valued, respected, and able to express themselves or contribute freely. Participants will explore strategies to create a psychologically safe space for all employees, identify and address barriers hindering psychological safety within teams, and develop action plans to implement psychological safety practices in the workplace.
9. Having Courageous Conversations
Great community leaders are transparent and communicate regularly with those around them, not only does this fosters psychological safety but promotes inclusion. So whether we’re leading companies, building our career, raising a family or fighting for justice, we need to be able to communicate when it’s uncomfortable, confusing or difficult. This session will empower leaders to cultivate courage and overcome the barriers that are stopping them from moving forward. Participants will grow their active listening skills, learn how to set healthy boundaries, practice calling others in and challenging with compassion.
10. Inclusive Language and Terminology
Words have power. Words matter. Language and belonging, inclusion, and safety go hand in hand. This session explores the significance of inclusive language and terminology and how it affects different communities. It provides an opportunity to understand the foundational importance of words, their role in shaping communities, and engaging with language evolution. The session also addresses the impact of language on culture change, belonging, and offers insights into responding to language challenges. Participants will be provided with access to an intersectional glossary of 400+ terms.
Register for our upcoming WCS Community Building 101: 'Inclusion' event with Trans+ History Week & QUEERAF on Thursday 20th March.
While you're here...
Did you know we consult with Businesses, ERGs and Change-Leaders providing bespoke corporate solutions? Through consultancy we design shared learning experiences, produce DEI insights and craft bespoke content that support individuals with strengthening their roles as change-agents within their communities and organisations. Find out more here.
We also organise FREE community events throughout the year! We offer a variety of ways to get involved - both online and in person. This is a great way to network and learn more about others' experiences, through in-depth discussion on an array of topics. You can find out what events we have coming up here. New ones are added all the time, so make sure you sign up to our newsletter so you can stay up to date!
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