Community Building Masterclass: Foundations
How to create meaning in your community in eight weeks
This course is your companion in building the heart and soul of your community—not the tech stack beneath it.
Whether you're just starting out as a community builder or stepping into this role alongside other responsibilities, this course will help you grow the clarity, confidence, and purpose needed to guide your community in ways that feel authentic and impactful.
In this course, I focus on the human side of community building—what it takes to invite participation, nurture relationships, ask better questions, and shape a community that truly matters to the people in it.
Together, we’ll explore what motivates members, how to design intentional behaviours, and how to balance community value with organisational goals—all while staying grounded in your own well-being and growth as a professional.
“You’re not just running a forum or hosting events—you’re cultivating something that could shape lives and careers. Your role matters.” (Thirza Loffeld, Co-Founder WildHub Conservation Community and Course developer)
What this course does cover
- How to step into your role with clarity and confidence—even if you're new to it
- How to define your community’s purpose, values, and unique contribution
- How to support meaningful participation and measure progress
- How to build trust and connection through conversations and shared rituals
- How to care for your energy and grow as a reflective, resilient community builder
What this course doesn’t cover
This course doesn’t focus on platform selection, tech infrastructure, terms and conditions, or legal policies.
Those aspects are highly context-specific and may require other specialist advice.
Instead, we centre your mindset, strategy, and daily practice—so you can make good decisions no matter what tools or platforms you use.
Who it’s for
This course is designed for:
- New or aspiring community builders
- Trainers or programme leads starting a community alongside a course or network
- Team members supporting an existing community space
- Practitioners exploring whether community building could be part of their work
You don’t need to have “community builder” in your job title.
If you care about connecting people around a shared purpose—you’re in the right place.
What to expect
- 8 self-paced weekly modules (approx. 1–2 hours/week)
- A mix of short videos, reflective readings, tools and downloadable worksheets
- Personalised prompts to support your own professional development
- A real-world, purpose-driven learning experience
Each module offers a practical insight to reflect on, test, or apply—whether you’re launching a new community or nurturing one that’s already live.
Purpose before scale
When people think about community, the conversation often turns to numbers—member growth, engagement rates, audience size. But that’s not what this course is about.
I believe the most effective communities begin with shared purpose, and are built by people who care about connection, collaboration, and meaningful progress.
In this course, I won’t teach you how to grow an audience. I’ll support you in cultivating a professional community that invites contribution, shared learning, and long-term impact.
For some learners, this will complement their existing work. For others, it might be the first step into something new.
But for everyone, a well-designed community can meet real needs and affirm that they’re not alone.
You’ll learn how to nurture communities that make a difference:
- For individuals seeking more purpose and connection in their careers
- For organisations looking to support learning and collaboration
- For sectors that need shared solutions to complex challenges
From personal growth to social change, local to global—communities can become structures for support and transformation. But only when they’re built with intention, and with care.