3 Responses

1. Bingo
   Hi Jennifer

   This a standard icebreaker, but it seems to work. Create a bingo sheet 25 boxes with 20 statements and 5 blanks. Participants have to move around the room and match other people up to the statements. For E&D I have used statements like ‘Is ambidextrous’, ‘Owns a strange pet’, ‘Has a tattoo’ and ‘Believes in the tooth fairy’.

   They can’t use the same person twice, they can’t use themselves, and the first to get four in a row shouts ‘House’ after which it is a 2 minute free for all to get as many names as they can.

   It’s fun, works with all ages and backgrounds, it gets people talking to each other and learning the names. And from an E&D perspective it allows you to talk about how the course is all about recognising and accepting differences. I point out that they have just done this in a light-hearted way, but everyone has attributes/beliefs that we don’t all share – it doesn’t mean we can’t work together.

   It is also quite an energising start – and a really crap prize is appropriate for the winner.

   Hope this helps.

   Colin

2. Try Call My Bluff
   This is one of many fun icebreakers that can introduce some of the right ideas
   The purpose is to challenge and test the assumptions that people make about each other.
   (Facilitators join in with this game!)
   Participants write three statements about themselves on a post-it note. Two are true and the other one is false. They should try to make it as difficult as possible for others to guess the false claim. They stick the post-it note on their lapels or equivalent.
   Then they walk around the room, talking to at least three other people and trying to guess which statements are true and which are false. Participants need to be prepared to answer questions and be creative as others try to work out what is true and what is not. They score one point for each correct guess.
   At the end facilitators discuss and debrief:
   • How many points did you score?
   • Any surprises?
   • Why did you make false assumptions?
   • What are the implications of this for your work?
   This works particularly well if your training group includes people from disadvantaged groups.
   Good luck!
   Jane Smith

3. What about the Sneetches?

   In my equality sessions I often tell the story of the Sneetches by Dr Seuss complete with powerpoint images. I follow this by giving participants a reflection sheet to fill in then we debrief the story together.

   I find it is both a light hearted and powerful opening, particularly suitable if you don’t think you audience want to get involved straight away but can listen and reflect before discussing.

   You will need to buy the book (relatively cheap) but I will send you powerpoint & reflection sheet if you are interested.

   Let me know,