LEWISTON — The Oxford County Wellness Collaborative is offering free training opportunities for anyone wanting to deepen their facilitation skills and hold conversations that foster trust, commitment and a sense of belonging.

The OCWC provides training for those who would like to facilitate gatherings around Oxford County and encourages anyone who cares about the wellbeing of their community to participate.

The next training will take place at the Community Concepts, 240 Bates St., Lewiston on Wednesday, Jan. 13, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The training was developed to support “hosts” for the Collaborative’s Healthy Community Gatherings, meetings that bring together community members to deepen ties to one another and create a common vision for building health in Oxford County. These meetings are appropriate for anyone wanting to build interpersonal skills and experience with public leadership. There is no commitment required in order to participate in the Healthy Community gatherings.

Barbara Rajaniemi attended a fall 2014 training in Rumford.

“After the host training, I felt empowered, I felt my voice mattered and I found myself being more aware of others and their needs and helping others feel that their voice matters, too,” Rajaniemi  said. “I use what I learned in both my personal and professional life on a daily basis.”

She added that she would encourage everyone to take advantage of this training.

“I feel it would have a very positive effect on you and the way you think and feel,” she said to others who may be interested.

These feelings are shared by other hosts.

Food will be provided at the training, and financial help is available to cover transportation and childcare expenses.

FMI, register: 207-739-6222, email [email protected].