Dates and times
More info
Sat July 26th 9.30am to 4.30pm
Cost
The course costs £70 for the day. To keep costs down then I provide drinks but I ask participants to bring their own lunch and snacks.

Are there any discount opportunities?
Yes there are three options.

Option 1: Low Income
If you are on a low income or financially struggling then please let me know and we can negotiate a fee based on what you can afford. If you have a good income and reasonable savings then please pay the full amount and this will in turn support the attendance of those that cannot afford the full fee. My simple test is that if you can afford to eat out or go on holiday then you can also afford to pay the full amount. However there are two other options to bring the cost down.

Option 2: PAB Membership
If you are a member of the Permaculture Association then there is a 20% reduction in the fee, so you would only pay £56. You can join the Permaculture Association by following this link. Once you have joined, or if you are a member already then you can go to this page on the PA website to get the discount code, which you then need to send to me to prove your membership.

Option 3: Wilf’s Permaculture Club
This is new and experimental. I am trying to work out a way to gain a steady income rather than the more haphazard nature of courses that may or may not run. It’s quite simple. You pay a monthly standing order to myself and in return you will get a 35% reduction in the course fee, so you would only pay £45.50 per course. I am looking for guinea pigs to test this system in 2025. It will be suitable for anyone wanting to take at least three courses with me over the next 12 months. Ping me an email and ask me for further details. It will also provide you with 50% off any evening online zoom / in person sessions that I run.
Course summary

Systems Thinking with Amanda Woolley

(in person at Abundant Earth)

Amanda, a facilitator and coach who helps individuals and groups work well together, make effective decisions, and thrive with compassion and clarity with a PhD in decision-making psychology will be running a course here on Systems Thinking, which has had a massive influence on permaculture thinking from pioneers in that discipline such as Donella Meadows and Howard T Odum who delved deeply into systems including ecosystems and even coined the term sustainability. Whilst writing my permaculture principles book I did a bit of a deeper dive into Systems Thinking so I am super excited to be hosting this course.

 

Amanda says about the course…rather than breaking problems into isolated parts, Systems Thinking invites us to observe the dynamic relationships and patterns that shape the behaviour of whole systems—whether organisations, communities, or ecosystems. You’ll explore feedback loops, unintended consequences, and leverage points, shifting from linear cause-and-effect thinking to a more holistic, relational perspective.

 

Through practical exercises and reflective discussion, the course helps you develop a mindset for navigating complexity with curiosity, humility, and care. Instead of trying to control or analyse systems, we’ll practice engaging with them—seeing interconnections, embracing multiple viewpoints, and responding adaptively. 

 

Certified teachers
Amanda Woolley
About Dr Amanda Woolley
Amanda is a facilitator and coach who helps individuals and groups work well together, make effective decisions, and thrive with compassion and clarity. With a PhD in decision-making psychology, she brings expertise in creativity, reasoning, and complex systems—particularly in health and care. Amanda has supported over 50 cross-boundary teams and partnerships, drawing on deep experience to foster alignment, adaptability, and transformation in rapidly changing environments. https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-amanda-woolley/

If you want to know more about Donella Meadows then we recommend this BBC Radio 4 programme about her life https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m001pt9w
Apprentice teachers
This course is open to offers from apprentice teachers wishing to gain teaching experience
the iceberg model originating from systems thinker Donella Meadows
Course type
Specialist
Engagement style
Face to face

Postal address of venue

Abundant Earth
Durham
United Kingdom

Course contact email
Contact name
Wilf Richards

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