AI in Learning: A sense making day

Monday 28th September 2026

Wallacespace – Covent Garden

An interactive gathering for L&D professionals to unpack what AI really means for their work. Hosted by Fiona McBride and Julie Drybrough

About Your Hosts

Fiona McBride is a facilitator and learning consultant who has spent over 20 years bringing L&D professionals together to develop, learn, collaborate and think well. She co-founded the HR Leaders Unconference, #LnDcowork and is Head of Community for the Women in HR Network.

She is renowned for facilitating engaging events & unconferences for facilitators, L&D professionals and clients including Tate, Warner Music, Barnardo’s and Chatham House – her networks span the breadth of the UK learning community.

Julie Drybrough is a pragmatic, transformative organisational development consultant and executive coach with over 25 years of experience facilitating impactful change. As the founder of Fuchsia Blue Ltd, Julie partners with organisations navigating complex transitions, using participative processes, meaningful dialogue and systemic alignment.

With clients ranging from arts institutions, NHS, oil & gas in Qatar and the video games sector, She is a Fellow of the RSA, founder of the Facilitation Shindig and the Write Nights community.

Together, Fiona and Julie, work to create inclusive and energising spaces where real conversations happen and people feel empowered to take action.

I am just about to head to the post box to send a little card to someone I love, and it got me thinking. I have always loved sending and receiving cards & letters. There’s something quite special about them, I think.

The term ‘holding space’ is one which you may have heard used, or mentioned, especially if you work in the world of facilitation, coaching and teaching others. It is something we all do often in those spaces, and away from work with our friends, families, and even strangers who we might get chatting with randomly.

… and it would be a straightforward, simple conversation to have. I’d probably tell you how it happened, that it was painful and that I needed time off to recuperate because of it.

So… Why can’t I say that some days I don’t have great mental health?

Since 18th March 2020, over 200 people from all around the world, have joined the #PauseBreathe sessions I’ve been offering. Joining from the UK, Spain, Belgium, Australia and the USA, taking time in their day to shift from the busyness and uncertainty of the world around them, to creating a moment of calm for themselves. 

Mid-march I started offering free, short breath awareness sessions. I felt I wanted to help others by putting something out into the world which might help people during this time of uncertainty and challenge.

At the end of June this year I qualified as a yoga teacher and if I’m completely honest with you, I still can’t quite believe I have.

I came along today ready for something different… the inaugural CIPD Festival of Work. A new offering from the Chartered Institute of Personnel & Development. During day one I attended conference sessions, walked the exhibition floor, chatted to folk, took part in seated yoga plus mindful colouring on a giant colouring wall. All in a days work at the new CIPD #FestivalOfWork.

It is always a pleasure to be asked to get involved with the CIPD conferences, this time it’s the #FestivalOfWork at Olympia in London.

I’m heading to the Conference and Exhibition on Wednesday 12 June. I’ve been invited to attend the conference as one of three people who will be sharing Festival updates and insights. I’ll be there all day, dipping in and out of conference sessions and walking around the free exhibition. 

I’ve blogged over on LinkedIn.. please read and share any thoughts or comments with me. Thank you

https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/echo-fiona-mcbride/