Get Involved
What are the workshops about?
Our work is guided by a set of core values that we aim to implement in everything we do. These include shared leadership, inclusiveness, belief in the good within everyone, consensus, community, mutual respect, consistency, and safety.
The core themes we explore in our workshops, which we consider essential for leading a non-violent life, include:
Improving communication skills is an essential part of our workshops. We begin with introductions, agreeing on boundaries, sharing names, and getting to know the group. The exercises help us improve listening skills and share positive qualities about one another.
Learning to cooperate in a group can take different forms, even without verbal communication! AVP is an experiential programme—everything we do in our workshops begins with personal experiences. Before discussing co-operation, we remind ourselves how it feels to work in a group, whether co-operating with others or not. Reflecting on these experiences and learning from others helps us grow as individuals.
Group construction and trust exercises help build a sense of community, along with fun games and shared storytelling. These activities are enjoyable and also teach us a lot about ourselves and others. Our trained facilitators debrief each exercise, drawing out lessons and insights from the group. AVP workshops are great team-building tools, helping participants build trust and understanding.
A key element of AVP is pre-emptive conflict resolution by creatively transforming unhealthy relationships through sharing, caring, improved communication skills, and sometimes, humour. Role-plays and other drama-based activities allow us to explore different approaches to conflict. Important insights are gained during these exercises, which are then flexibly adapted and debriefed, helping us reflect and learn.
Reflection is a key principle of our workshops, serving as the foundation for personal growth and deeper understanding. Participants are encouraged to critically reflect on their own behaviours, experiences, and responses, fostering self-awareness and the ability to make positive changes. Through guided reflection, individuals can better comprehend their past actions and learn how to approach future challenges with greater insight.
Trust is essential to create a safe environment where participants feel comfortable sharing their experiences and vulnerabilities. Trust-building exercises and shared group activities strengthen connections, allowing for open communication and mutual support.
Conflict resolution and conflict transformation are central to the workshops, as participants are guided to not only resolve disputes peacefully but to transform conflict into an opportunity for personal and relational growth. By fostering dialogue, empathy, and understanding, the workshops equip individuals with the skills to manage conflicts in healthier, non-violent ways, ultimately contributing to stronger communities.
What Happens Next?
In order to participate in AVP workshops, you will be required to undergo security clearance and Garda vetting through the Irish Prison Service . It may take several weeks for your clearance to be confirmed. We will provide you with induction training and introduce you to the AVP community, so you can familiarise yourself with the AVP ethos and values that guide our work.
Our onboarding process is gradual, as we want everyone to ease into the experience and have the opportunity to enjoy the joy and magic of our workshops. This means you will first participate in our workshops as a regular attendee before completing training to become a facilitator and co-facilitate workshops alongside our trained inside and outside facilitators. As we believe in lifelong learning, we provide opportunities for reflection and learning through training sessions and communities of practice for all volunteers, regardless of their level of experience.
Throughout this process you will receive ongoing support from our coordinator and the AVP community.
Other modalities
During the COVID-19 pandemic, we offered an AVP postal course for people in custody that covered similar topics. While this modality is no longer offered, we may consider it under exceptional circumstances.
In the past, we also offered workshops in community settings outside of prisons to promote non-violent approaches to conflict and empower young people to become ambassadors for non-violence in their schools and communities. Currently, this modality is not being offered.
Who Can Get Involved?
Anyone with an interest in learning about non-violent approaches to conflict situations is welcome to join. In our experience, generally people over 24 years of age are more comfortable in the facilitators role. However, anyone over 18 who feels strongly about our work is encouraged to get in touch.
Previous experience in workshop facilitation, group activities, restorative justice, or mediation is desirable, but not essential. More importantly, we seek volunteers whose values align with ours – such as open-mindedness, non-judgment, commitment to lifelong learning, cooperation, and empathy.
The minimum of workshops for volunteers to participate or facilitate, are four per year. Therefore, volunteers have to be able to commit four weekends per year to volunteer for AVP.
What if I have any questions?
Please visit our FAQ page for more answers. Select the ‘Get involved’ button to check the date of our next information session.
You can also join our info session, where all your questions will be answered, or contact us at [email protected].
