Forming a team
The Freedom Focus course is hosted by a team. The number of team members depends on the number of participants in the course.
- The course needs a main host leader/teacher. This is someone who has (basic) knowledge and experience in the field of pastoral care, counselling, or psychological coaching of people.
- Secondly the team needs a number of small-group leaders. In the second half of every gathering, fixed small groups with fixed group leaders continue discussing the theme. The amount of group leaders will depend on the number of participants.
- In a large group of participants, it may be convenient to have someone on the team to primarliy work on the practicalities of the course: provide a room, communication with the participants, buying the course materials, and perhaps organising meals.
When forming a team, aim at commitment of all team members to be present at as many gatherings as possible. (Perhaps redundantly, but it is important that the team members are female when hosting the course for a group of women.)
Course materials
The course materials consist of three elements:
- Manual: Instructions for the hosting team. Here you find background information, tools for hosting a course, tips per lesson, and a QR-code that leads you to the lesson kit.
- Workbooks: Every course member receives a workbook they use to make the assignments, and take personal notes. They can the reread the material at home. Workbooks are available in Dutch, English, Ukrainian, Russian and Deutsch. Translations in Farsi, Chinese, Arabic and Myanmarese are in preperation. A version of the course targeted at a male audience is in process.
Books can be ordered in the webshop.
Lesson kit: Some lessons require use of conversation cards or specific visual materials (posters etc.). You can find all these extra materials in the lesson kit. In the lesson kit you will also find the certificates and the evaluation forms for the end of the course. Print forms are freely available via the link in the back of the manual.
Costs
Hosting the Freedom Focus Course will come with money costs, and the exact costs depend on the situation. Take the following costs into account:
- Location rent
- Coffee, tea, and maybe a meal
- Costs for the creative assignments
- Costs for the course materials: course books for the participants and a manual for the team members. For the course material costs click here.
- You can let the participants contribute or cover the costs as organising church or organisation.
‘The Freedom Focus course is unique, much needed, and of high quality.’
Academic researcher
Referring
The Freedom Focus course is not meant to be a substitute for professional help, but as life help for those who cannot get or do not want to get professional help yet. We cannot heal or change people, no matter how much we want to. As a host/leader you coach the participants, and you provide help to make their own choices and to take further steps. Still, it is their process and their responsibility. If you notice that the need is too high, or the help that is asked is too complicated, it is time to refer to professional care. That is why it is good to have a personal network of doctors, psychologists, pastors, and social workers to discuss these issues with, or to refer people to.
