As someone who plans and hosts online trainings, workshops etc a *lot* especially for conflict, oppressed groups and on sensitive topics something I wish people would consider more in their planning processes more is that not everyone is safe in their home.

When you are planning a real life meeting you are able to plan and control more of the physical, emotional and psychological environment people are coming into and that’s just not possible at home but so many people seem to only consider how you think about those things in the

Virtual space they are hosting now and don’t give much thought to the physical space someone is calling in from. Whether it’s folks who aren’t out, folks living in hostile spaces or fighting over quiet spaces in their homes, domestic violence or just not considering the embodied

Transition from difficult, conflictual or emotional group spaces/conversation back into a person bedroom/living room etc at home. The “end call” button can be so abrupt.

Some tips:
- if you are talking about something that someone might not be “out” about (sexuality, gender, mental health etc) ask ALL participants to be out of earshot of others (eg. Headphones) for everyone’s privacy.
- send people a physical care package.

- think about grounding activities, music or other ways to engage peoples bodies and minds and decompress when entering or leaving a space
- understand there are many reasons a person might be distracted, stressed or showing up differently

- have a hang out period at the end of a meeting/workshop so that people can decompress and transition their way out if they need
- set up buddy pairs/peer support phone calls after a session
- build in part of a session where people can talk on the phone & walk if they want to