Activity

MEET & GREET

Number of participants

Up to 20 participants

Objectives

● To build cohesion within the group.
● To learn each other’s names.
● To explore the perspective of being touched, particularly in relation to working with older people.

Where does the activity take place within the process

Beginning

Duration

5 minutes

Material needed

Preparation

Prepare the room/space so that it is as spacious as it can be, without obstacles.

Step by step description

1. Ask participants to walk around the room, shaking hands and introducing themselves to one another.

2. Ask participants to ‘walk and freeze’ a number of times.

3. Each time they hear ‘Freeze!’ participants introduce themselves to whoever is nearest.

4. Extend the activity to Silly Meet & Greet: Ask participants to continue as before, but this time they can not let go of the person’s hand until they find someone else to shake hands with i.e. everyone must be shaking hands with at least one person at all times.

Closing up

Ask participants questions:

● How many names can you remember?
● What did you notice happening when we did the silly version?

Resources

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Comments / hints for facilitators

Begin by demonstrating the introduction. Shake hands with one participant and say, ‘Hello my name is…’ Wait for them to respond in the same way before moving on. Participate in the activity yourself by meeting and greeting each participant. This will help you meet participants individually and also give you a sense of when to call freeze and when to end the activity.
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