Thank you for leading the day so well and drawing honest answers out of me. I enjoyed the afternoon team events a lot
Team Therapist, London Health Centre

Excellent course [Motivational Interviewing]. I recommend it to all staff working within the Youth Offending Service.
Youth Justice Worker

Rare delivery style and facilitation by Alasdair. Excellent - very relaxed, informal, detailed and knowledgeable, but easily digestible and pitched at the right level.
Probation Officer, Hertfordshire

WHO ARE WE NOW?
The aim of the task is to understand better through a visual picture to stimulate discussion about where the team sees itself, both now and where it would like to see itself in future – and how it will get there.

You will need enough flipchart paper and glue for people to work in twos or threes. A few days before the session, ask each member of the team to bring in a wide selection of magazines from home. Divide the group into twos or threes. Ask each group to select a pile of magazines and spend 10 minutes ripping out images or headlines that represents “Who are we now?” Stick all the images randomly onto the flipchart paper.

Once the time is up, stick all the flipchart sheets on the wall and ask everyone to spend 2-3 minutes to look at each other’s work. Facilitate a discussion around what common themes are emerging and summarise these on a flipchart sheet. Where difficult issues are raised, make sure there is enough time to hear these and acknowledge them as part of the picture.

Part two of the exercise is to repeat the magazine ripping and sticking but asking the question “Who do we want to be?”. Stick the flipchart sheets on the wall again and see what is different. This is the start of a process to help focus the team on the key values and issues they feel are important for the future.

A further facilitated discussion will help tease out common themes which can then be used to formulate a team mission statement and then an action plan to work out how to get from “here” to “there”. 

ONE TO TWENTY
1-20 is a team game that is quick and simple. It’s light-hearted and can help the group to develop their intuitive response in communication.   To download this energiser please click here.

CARD MEMORY GAME
This is a high energy game which involves moving around at speed – so not ideal for those with mobility issues.  To download this energiser please click here.

TALKING ABOUT NAMES #1
What to do:
Everyone in the group says something about their name - e.g. its meaning, spelling, why they were given it, if they like it.

What you need:
No specific resources needed.

When to use:
Particularly effective in a multicultural group.

Supports learning:
Allows everyone's voice to be heard in a non-threatening way & so encourages participation.

TALKING ABOUT NAMES #2
What to do:
Everyone writes their name on the flip chart and talks about it for 30 seconds.

What you need:
Flip chart, pens.

When to use:
As a warm up for presentation skills training.

Supports learning:
Enables participants to explore their initial responses to presenting.

'IF I WERE NOT HERE TODAY'
What to do:
Everyone introduces themselves and says what they would normally be doing today.

What you need:
No specific resources needed.

When to use:
Particularly effective with a multi-disciplinary group to give insight into roles.

Supports learning:
Improves group understanding of members' contexts.

UNIQUE FACTS
What to do:
Everyone introduces themselves and gives a fact about themselves they think is unique, eg 'I was rescued by a lifeboat.' Avoid intimate or intimidating examples.

What you need:
No specific resources needed.

When to use:
Effective in a group of strangers.

Supports learning:
Often sparks conversation which helps the group to gel.

ONE PERFECT DAY
What to do:
Everyone describes their dream day - money no object! There is no need to analyse what is said.

What you need:
No specific resources needed.

When to use:
Works well at the start of team building days.

Supports learning:
Can help people to leave work mindsets behind and be creative.

TRUE, TRUE, FALSE
What to do:
Trainer makes three statements about themselves, one of which is false. The group must vote for the one they think is false. Participants then try it themselves in small groups. 'Facts' revealed do not have to be deep or significant.

What you need:
It may help to decide on your 'facts' ahead of time.

When to use:
Good with a group who know each other.

Supports learning:
Can be linked to the topic of making judgements & assumptions.

PEACH, PEAR, PLUM
What to do
Make a circle of chairs - one less than the group number. The person left standing decides who must leave their seat and run for another by calling out a rule eg 'anyone who had toast for breakfast.' the rule must be true of the caller, and no-one can move into an adjacent seat.

What you need:
Circle of chairs, adequate space.

When to use:
May not be appropriate when group includes disabled person.

Supports learning:
Breaks down barriers.