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Equal Opportunities and Diversity Icebreakers and Energisers

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Participants identify how equality provides the opportunity for every individual to participate and fulfil their potential by eliminating prejudice and discrimination, and diversity recognises and values each persons individuality.

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Assumptions - The Witches of Glum

Time:
In total we estimate this exercise will take 25 minutes.

Aims:
• To understand the importance of listening skills.
• To illustrate the dangers of making assumptions.
• To provoke discussion about prejudices and stereotypes.

About

Time:
This exercise will take about 15 minutes to complete. In total, allowing for discussion, we recommend allowing 25 minutes for completion.

Aims:
• To understand the importance of listening skills.
• To illustrate the dangers of making assumptions.
• To provoke discussion about prejudices and stereotypes.

Group Size:
Suitable for use with groups of almost any size. This module is also suitable for remote/virtual delivery – see separate note.

You'll Need:
• Pens and paper for every participant.
• The audio recording of the story, which can be streamed from Trainers’ Library if you prefer not to read it aloud yourself.

Notes:
If reading the story to participants, we suggest that you rehearse reading the story aloud a few times prior to delivery.

This module has been endorsed by Show Racism the Red Card. For more information about the great work this charity is doing to educate against racism, visit www.theredcard.org.

Remote/Virtual Delivery:
There is a Remote Delivery version of this module available in Trainers’ Library.

Downloads

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Come Dine With Us - Team Strengths and Diversity

Time:
In total we estimate this exercise will take 20 minutes.

Aims:
• To encourage participants to think about the strengths and unique characteristics of their team.
• To encourage participants to think about what makes their team special.

About

Time:
This exercise will take about 15 minutes to complete. In total, allowing for discussion, we recommend allowing 20 minutes for completion.

Aims:
• To encourage participants to think about the strengths and unique characteristics of their team.
• To encourage participants to think about what makes their team special.

Group Size:
This module is suitable for use with all group of almost any size.

You'll Need:
Nothing.

Notes:
This exercise works best when your participants are a team who work together in the workplace.

Downloads
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Trainer Notes

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Course Introduction - A Basic Introduction to Training Events

Time:
In total we estimate this exercise will take 30 minutes.

Aims:
• To welcome the participants.
• To introduce the facilitator(s) and participants to each other.
• To introduce the facilities.
• To agree the course objectives and timetable.

About

Time:
This exercise will take about 25 minutes to complete. In total, allowing for discussion, we recommend allowing 30 minutes for completion.

Aims:
• To welcome the participants.
• To introduce the facilitator(s) and participants to each other.
• To introduce the facilities.
• To agree the course objectives and timetable.

Group Size:
This module is suitable for use with groups of almost any size.

You'll Need:
Nothing, other than the materials provided.

Downloads
Available to Essential
Trainer Notes
Handout
Handout (Word)

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Diversity Spectrum

Time:
In total we estimate this exercise will take 20 minutes.

Aims:
• To explore the views and attitudes of your participants on the subject of Equality and Diversity.

About

Time:
This exercise will take about 15 minutes to complete. In total, allowing for discussion, we recommend allowing 20 minutes for completion.

Aims:
• To explore the views and attitudes of your participants on the subject of Equality and Diversity.

Group Size:
This module can be used with groups of almost any size.

Useful For:
Staff at all levels.

You'll Need:
• A piece of string or rope that is approximately 4 metres long.

Notes:
You will need a clear space in which to lay out your ‘Diversity Spectrum’ and for participants to move along it.

Whilst this can be run as a stand-alone exercise, this is also a great lead in to Witches of Glum or Goldilocks at the start of an Equality and Diversity training session.

Remote/Virtual Delivery:
There is a Remote Delivery version of this module available in Trainers’ Library.

Downloads
Available to Essential
Trainer Notes

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Trainer Notes (Word)

Counts as 1 download.

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Equal Opportunities and Diversity Word Search

Time:
In total we estimate this exercise will take 15 minutes.

Aims:
• To help participants identify some of the key themes they’ll be exploring in the forthcoming training around equal opportunities and diversity.

About

Time:
This exercise will take about 10 minutes to complete. In total, allowing for discussion, we recommend allowing 15 minutes for completion.

Aims:
• To help participants identify some of the key themes they’ll be exploring in the forthcoming training around equal opportunities and diversity.

Group Size:
This module is suitable for use with groups of almost any size.

Useful For:
Anyone attending a course or workshop that focuses on diversity and equality.

You'll Need:
• A printed copy of the large (A3) Trainer version of the Word Search grid provided, affixed to a flipchart.

Notes:
A small prize for the winning team would be nice, though not essential.

Downloads
Available to Essential
Trainer Notes
A3 Trainer Copy
Handout

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Trainer Notes (Word)

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Goldilocks - A Listening Exercise

Time:
In total we estimate this exercise will take 20 minutes.

Aims:
• To test listening skills.
• To illustrate the dangers of making assumptions.
• To encourage participants to think about how they can check their understanding of information they receive.

About

Time:
This exercise will take about 10 minutes to complete. In total, allowing for discussion, we recommend allowing 20 minutes for completion. (You may wish to take more time for larger groups or where you want to explore some of the learning in more detail.)

Aims:
• To test listening skills.
• To illustrate the dangers of making assumptions.
• To encourage participants to think about how they can check their understanding of information they receive.

Group Size:
This module is suitable for use with groups of almost any size. It is possible to use this exercise in conference situations as well as more usual training interventions like courses and workshops.

You'll Need:
• A pre-prepared flipchart of the statements from the handout (hidden from view until required).
• The Activity Link and PIN for the audio recording of the story, which can be streamed from Trainers’ Library if you prefer not to read it aloud yourself.

Notes:
If reading the story to participants, we suggest that you rehearse reading the story aloud a few times prior to delivery.

If You Like This Training Exercise:
You’ll LOVE ‘The Witches of Glum’ which is also available from Trainers’ Library. ‘The Witches of Glum’ has been endorsed by Show Racism the Red Card for its ability to make participants think about prejudice and stereotypes. To find out more about the great work this charity is doing to educate against racism, visit www.theredcard.org.

Remote/Virtual Delivery:
There is a Remote Delivery version of this module available in Trainers’ Library.

Downloads

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Trainer Notes (Word)

Counts as 1 download.

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Imagining Equality - What it Means to Me

Time:
In total we estimate this exercise will take 30 minutes.

Aims:
• For participants to explore and identify what equality means to them.
• To understand what equality means to others.

About

Time:
This exercise will take about 20 minutes to complete. In total, allowing for discussion, we recommend allowing 30 minutes for completion.

Aims:
• For participants to explore and identify what equality means to them.
• To understand what equality means to others.

Group Size:
Suitable for use with groups of almost any size.

You'll Need:
• Random magazines and art materials such as coloured pens and paper.

Notes:
This activity is a great way to explore what equality means. However, it is best suited to more experienced trainers and facilitators as it might expose negativity towards the topic of equality and diversity. This, in itself, however, can be useful to the trainer.

Downloads

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Knowing Me, Knowing You - Unconscious Bias

Time:
In total we estimate this exercise will take 25 minutes.

Aims:
• To raise awareness of how quickly we draw conclusions about other people.
• Understand the impact unconscious bias has on our interactions with others.

About

Time:
This exercise will take about 10 minutes to complete. In total, allowing for discussion, we recommend allowing 25 minutes for completion.

Aims:
• To raise awareness of how quickly we draw conclusions about other people.
• Understand the impact unconscious bias has on our interactions with others.

Group Size:
Suitable for use with groups of almost any size.

You'll Need:
• Nothing other than the materials provided.

Notes:
This exercise works best if your participants don’t know you very well.

Downloads
Available to Essential
Trainer Notes
Handout
Handout (Word)

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People in a Different Light

Time:
In total we estimate this exercise will take 20 minutes.

Aims:
• To encourage participants to share information about themselves.
• To test participant's knowledge of each other.
• To encourage participants to see beyond their existing perceptions of others.

About

Time:
This exercise will take about 15 minutes to complete. In total, allowing for discussion, we recommend allowing 20 minutes for completion.

Aims:
• To encourage participants to share information about themselves.
• To test participant's knowledge of each other.
• To encourage participants to see beyond their existing perceptions of others.

Group Size:
This module can be used with groups of up to 25 participants.

Useful For:
Staff at all levels.

You'll Need:
• A pen and post-it notes for each participant.

Notes:
For a similar activity, with a different approach, you might like to look at True Lies.

Remote/Virtual Delivery:
There is a Remote Delivery version of this module available in Trainers’ Library.

Downloads
Available to Essential
Trainer Notes

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Trainer Notes (Word)

Counts as 1 download.

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True Lies

Time:
In total we estimate this exercise will take 20 minutes.

Aims:
• To introduce participants in a fun way.
• To encourage people to think about how we communicate nonverbally.
• To encourage participants to begin to think about the important role of body language, tone and pitch in communication.

About

Time:
This exercise will take about 15 minutes to complete. In total, allowing for discussion, we recommend allowing 20 minutes for completion.

Aims:
• To introduce participants in a fun way.
• To encourage people to think about how we communicate nonverbally.
• To encourage participants to begin to think about the important role of body language, tone and pitch in communication.

Group Size:
Suitable for use with groups of up to 15 participants. (The activity can be used with larger groups, but you will need to allow more time.)

You'll Need:
• To ask participants in advance of the training to share one unusual fact about themselves.

Notes:
Based on the UK gameshow ‘Would I Lie to You?’, this is a fun way to introduce any training, but is particularly appropriate as an introduction around training linked to communication and body language. It can even be used to introduce equality and diversity training as it provides a way to make the point that there is more to people than we see on the surface and for participants to make assumptions about others in the group.

Remote/Virtual Delivery:
There is a Remote Delivery version of this module available in Trainers’ Library.

Downloads
Available to Essential
Trainer Notes

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Trainer Notes (Word)

Counts as 1 download.

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Unequal Opportunities

Time:
In total we estimate this exercise will take 10 minutes.

Aims:
• To introduce the subject of equal opportunities.
• To understand why equal opportunities legislation matters.

About

Time:
This exercise will take about 5 minutes to complete. In total, allowing for discussion, we recommend allowing about 10 minutes for completion.

Aims:
• To introduce the subject of equal opportunities.
• To understand why equal opportunities legislation matters.

Group Size:
This module can be used with groups of almost any size.

You'll Need:
• A waste paper basket and a sheet of paper for each participant.

Notes:
Larger groups will necessitate a longer running time for the exercise.

Remote/Virtual Delivery:
There is a Remote Delivery version of this module available in Trainers’ Library.

Downloads
Available to Essential
Trainer Notes

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Trainer Notes (Word)

Counts as 1 download.

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What is Bullying and Harassment?

Time:
In total we estimate this exercise will take 15 minutes.

Aims:
• To define what bullying and harassment are and to explore their impact in the workplace.

About

Time:
This exercise will take about 5 minutes to complete. In total, allowing for discussion, we recommend allowing 15 minutes for completion.

Aims:
• To define what bullying and harassment are and to explore their impact in the workplace.

Group Size:
This module can be used with groups of almost any size.

Useful For:
Anyone.

You'll Need:
• To prepare flipcharts containing ACAS’ definitions of bullying and of harassment if you don’t wish to use the PowerPoint slides provided.

Downloads

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Which Shelf Are You On? - Labels and Assumptions

Time:
In total we estimate this exercise will take 30 minutes.

Aims:
• To encourage people to reflect on the assumptions we make and the labels we attach to people.
• To understand that there is more to people than what we see on the surface.

About

Time:
This exercise will take about 15 minutes to complete. In total, allowing for discussion, we recommend allowing 30 minutes for completion.

Aims:
• To encourage people to reflect on the assumptions we make and the labels we attach to people.
• To understand that there is more to people than what we see on the surface.

Group Size:
Suitable for use with groups of almost any size.

You'll Need:
• Nothing other than the materials provided. But for a more visual/engaging exercise, you could provide participants physical representations of the products listed in the activity to sort.

Notes:
This is a great icebreaker for any topic where it’s helpful for participants consider whether categorising people is fair, and the impact this can have on beliefs and behaviour.

Remote/Virtual Delivery:
There is a Remote Delivery version of this module available in Trainers’ Library.

Downloads
Available to Essential
Trainer Notes
Handout
Handout (Word)

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Trainer Notes (Word)

Counts as 1 download.

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