Method guide · Progress through phases
Sharing withholds
Use only with a pre-established trusted group, non-retaliation and support arrangements to hear concerns without rebuttal.
- People
- 5–20
- Base procedure time
- 40 minutes
- Recording
- Shared record
Purpose: Explore through dialogue; Reflect and learn.
English guide
Text acceptance is not approval of this rendered page, its media, or publication.
How this method works
Hear previously unspoken concerns in one round, retaining only themes that the person permits. First check trust, non-retaliation, passing, stopping, leaving and the rule against rebuttal. Each person speaks or passes; everyone else listens to the end without defending themselves, advising or asking questions. Each contributor first chooses whether their contribution is to be addressed later, retained anonymously or discarded. From contributions permitted for recording, the facilitator writes only issues appearing in at least 2 contributions, or one item that its contributor wants addressed later, separated from individual identities. Do not use unpermitted contributions in either counts or themes. Do not use this where retaliation is a risk or external support cannot be provided.
Phase schedule
Minutes are cumulative from the start of the base plan, not a live timer. Read scaling for any additional time. Phase controls do not advance automatically.
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- Check passing, stopping and no rebuttal0–8 minutes from the start (8 minutes)
Action: Check. Participation: One group with trust checked in advance.
Shared record
- Speak or pass in one round8–28 minutes from the start (20 minutes)
Action: Speak. Participation: One group with trust checked in advance.
Shared record
- Let each contributor choose what happens next28–33 minutes from the start (5 minutes)
Action: Choose. Participation: One group with trust checked in advance.
Shared record
- Record only permitted themes33–40 minutes from the start (7 minutes)
Action: Record. Participation: One group with trust checked in advance.
Shared record
Facilitation steps
- For 8 minutes, check trust, passing, stopping, leaving, the rule against rebutting contributions, and each person’s choice about theme recording.
- For 20 minutes, people take turns speaking about what they have held back or passing, while others listen without responding.
- For 5 minutes, each contributor first chooses whether their own contribution is addressed later, retained anonymously or discarded.
- For 7 minutes, write anonymous themes on paper only from permitted contributions: issues shared by at least 2 contributions and one item that its contributor wants addressed.
If something changes
If
Even one person shows a pass, stop or exit card.
Then
Stop or skip the round without asking why, and prohibit disadvantage or retaliation after leaving.
If
Even one disclosure concerns safety, such as harm, retaliation, self-harm or harm to others.
Then
Stop whole-group recording and reactions. Do not promise secrecy; connect the person to the support contact designated in advance.
If
At least one rebuttal, defence or personal challenge begins immediately after a contribution.
Then
End that response and let the contributor choose discarding the theme record, anonymising it or stopping.
Preparation
Materials
- Pass, stop and exit cards: one per person
- One large sheet per group for anonymous themes only
- Broad-tip pens: 2 per group
Room and setup
- A quiet place where leaving partway through and individual support are available choices.
Adjust for people and time
Use only one group of 5–20 people whose trust and non-retaliation have been checked in advance. Do not divide 21 or more people into arbitrary small groups on the day. Run separate sessions on different days only if units with existing trust relationships separately request them. Keep each session’s theme sheet independent; do not consolidate contributions, individuals or themes outside the session. Do not use participant counts or pass counts in an overall report.
Safety and non-applicable situations
Confirm trust, non-retaliation, passing, stopping, exit and external support before using this. Do not rebut, defend, advise or ask questions while listening. Record only permitted, de-identified themes and do not count unpermitted contributions. Stop group recording and reactions for safety disclosures, do not promise secrecy, and use the previously designated support contact. Do not consolidate themes, identities or participation/pass counts outside the session.
Manuscript's recorded references
These translate the original manuscript's source and rights claims. They remain separate from any current-page notice below; they do not establish new verification.
- Seeds for Change Facilitation Tools: Sharing withholds
https://www.seedsforchange.org.uk/tools
anti-copyright adaptation; changes made
- Conditions applying to anti-copyright
https://www.seedsforchange.org.uk/resources
anti-copyright
Diagram, print, and video language
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Editorial provenance
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