Our Planning for Real unit are now taking bookings for their next training course on Tuesday 10 February – Wednesday 11 February 2026 at our Brindleyplace office.
Planning for Real is a practical, hands-on approach to community planning. Using a 3D model of a local area, residents can explore ideas, raise concerns, and agree on solutions. It empowers communities to take an active role in shaping the decisions that affect them.
Over two days, participants will gain the skills to plan and facilitate a Planning for Real programme. By the end of the course they will be able to:
- Explain the Planning for Real process and its applications
- Build a scale model of a local area
- Introduce and promote the approach to key stakeholders
- Facilitate sessions to gather ideas, identify concerns and agree solutions
- Work with groups to prioritise actions and develop a basic action plan
- Link the process to your own project objectives.
This training is designed for those working in the public and voluntary sectors, particularly local authority staff, councillors and elected representatives, registered social landlords and voluntary sector staff and community group leaders.
The next two-day Planning for Real training course is £350 plus VAT (excluding accommodation) and is limited to 16 participants.
Margaret Wilkinson, Head of our Planning for Real Unit, said: “This is a fantastic opportunity for individuals to receive intensive training as part of a small group and learn how to implement the Planning for Real process.
“To ensure the quality of the training experience the number of participants on the course will be limited to 16. I’d like to encourage colleagues across GSA to promote the training to people and organisations they think might be interested. Thank you in advance for your support.”