The Vulnerable Humanitarian Circle of Practice

Welcome to a space designed for deep listening, sharing, and meaningful action within the aid worker and human rights community. I am Gemma Houldey, and I have worked for 20 years in the humanitarian and human rights space. Drawing on my own cutting edge doctoral research on burnout in the aid sector, and the many practices I have learned and integrated in the last few years, I have created the Vulnerable Humanitarian Circle of Practice to support us to build healthier, more compassionate and more inclusive cultures where we can be more courageous and more purposeful without burning out. 

The Circle of Practice offers a sanctuary where we harness the power of truth-telling, emotional intelligence, and nervous system regulation to support more sustainable, heart-centred activism and humanitarian service. Here, we explore themes from my book The Vulnerable Humanitarian with a focus on feminist and decolonial wellbeing strategies, and draw on the wisdom of many other practitioners who are resisting burnout culture through both self- and collective care. 

You do not need to have read The Vulnerable Humanitarian to participate - although, we encourage you to do so in order to help embed some of the topics we will explore in each session. 

From October to December 2025, these sessions will run twice a month to accommodate different time zones (see more details below). 

What to Expect

• We start with a gentle grounding practice, to settle your nervous system and bring a sense of safety and connection for yourself in this space
• A guided listening and sharing circle to explore what we are struggling with, and what is giving us hope in these times of polycrisis. Time for you to be seen and heard with your experiences - with full permission to be silent also - and time for us to remember the power of hope, joy and collective care. 
• Suggestions and guidance from your facilitator, bringing in 10+ years of research into burnout in our sector and 5+ years of facilitating group learning and healing spaces (more information here). 
• A soothing contemplative and body/breath based practice to help you integrate what has been shared and which promotes greater calm, clarity and vision for your role as a change-maker. Practices offered include yoga nidra (a yogic meditative practice done lying down), somatic movement to release tension or trauma, and meditations to connect with hope and purpose. 

Arrive as you are - all of you is welcome in this space - and leave feeling inspired and supported with new ideas and practices to support you and your mission for social change. Join us in this loving community of change-makers challenging burnout culture, and make new friends and contacts along the way!

Starting again Monday 6th October 6-7.30pm UTC (shown as 7-8.30pm BST on booking page) and Wednesday 8th October, 1-2.30pm UTC (shown as 2-3.30pm BST on booking page). 

HOW TO REGISTER

You're welcome to join any session, but attending regularly offers a comprehensive understanding of key themes and practical tools for implementation, and brings you into a community that is treading the same path of culture change from the inside out.

Pricing: This is a FREE EVENT, with the option to pay a donation of your choice. Any contributions are gratefully received and will go towards the running costs.