Activity 1.1: Introduction & Consent
ACTIVITY ONE | |||||
Introduction & Consent | |||||
Purpose | Learning Outcome | Introductions | Time | ||
The purpose of this activity is to enable participants to get to know each other and determine how theywill work together forthe sessions. | Participants will be able to establish a contract of working, while getting to know each other. | Start by introducing yourself and the programme. Explain why you are running the programme drawing on some of the research outlined in the background to the programme. | 15 minutes | ||
Part One | Name Game |
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Part Two | Contract |
Explain to the group that when working in a small group like this on a sensitive topic it is important to develop a contract so that everyone feels safe in participating. A contract is an agreement around how the group will work together. In this case it is a verbal agreement.
From the facilitator’s perspective it is important for example that:
Ask participants if there is anything they would like to add to make the space a safe space for them to share. |
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Part Three | Question Box |
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Part Four | Mindful Moment |
Read the following to the group: Inviting you to sit up straight in your chair, uncross your hands and legs. Close your eyes if you are comfortable doing so, and connect with the breath in the body. Feel the breath coming in and the breath going out. Where do you feel this breath most strongly? Expand your awareness to take in the whole body sitting in the chair. Really feel how the body is today. Notice any sensations of tightness, tension, tiredness, boredom, anxiousness or curiosity, and just allow the body to be as it is without judging your experience. Allow the mind to settle from all its busyness and bring your attention into this moment with curiosity as if on a journey. How are you feeling today? Where do you notice that feeling coming from? Really allow yourself to feel the body as it is, in this moment. Feeling settled in the body, consider what your intention is for this session? Connect with the breath in the body, feeling the breath coming in and going out. When you are ready bring attention back to the room and open your eyes. |
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Explain | |
Connecting with the body and the breath are useful tools to bring us out of our heads and into the body and the present moment. We will use this and other activities like this throughout the programme to help us really get connected with ourselves and learning to observe ourselves as we are. |