Putting People at Ease in Their First Group Session by Paul Carroll (Quench Arts’ Wavelength Project Lead Artist)
After 13 years of working with music and vulnerable people (particularly those with experience of isolation due to mental illness), I would say that putting people at ease when starting a creative group session is perhaps the number one aim early on in a project.
After 13 years of working with music and vulnerable people (particularly those with experience of isolation due to mental illness), I would say that putting people at ease when starting a creative group session is perhaps the number one aim early on in a project.
Firstly, it can mean that they are more likely to engage in the activity and if they get the most out of their first session, we hope that they are more likely to come back next time and continue to benefit. Secondly, by putting people at ease, they can feel more free to open up and start to relate to other members of the group, leading to some significant social benefits. Creating a comfortable environment where participants - some socially isolated - can start to make crucial connections with their peers is equally important as, if not more than, developing their musical skills.
So, here are some of the things I think about when leading a group session:
●Say, "Hello" - The informal part of the session as people arrive is an opportunity to put people at ease before the session even starts. It is possibly a new person's first experience of you, the group, the activity and the venue. So, arrive in time to set up before participants start to arrive so that you can talk or designate other staff to have those informal chats to make people feel welcome.
●Basic needs – Is the group warm, safe and refreshed? Make the drinks. Just offering to do something for someone is an early way to make them feel looked after. If it is cold, and there aren't any heaters available, at least acknowledge the fact and equip yourself in advance with information about why and what will be done about it. That way, the group will at least know that you care.
●Show them around - This can help people get their bearings, know where they can go for comfort breaks, and start to feel safe and at home in the building.
●Tell them the plan - There will be a lot of 'unknowns' so try and reduce those as much as possible and tell people what exciting things are on offer and when the break and end of the session are.
●Nothing is compulsory - Reassure people that they can come and go without feeling self- conscious if they need an extra break.
●Get them involved - If you're still setting up when people arrive, giving people simple tasks, like passing you something or plugging a lead in, can make them feel like they have something to contribute straight away.
●Smile - It took me years to realise that part of my job is reassure people that you want to be there with them. So, no matter what you are doing, try and do it with a bit of good humour (I'm still trying all the time!). I've also discovered that in order to keep smiling, it is important to make sure that you have planned a session that you yourself are going to enjoy and can deliver without too much pressure.
●Introductions and warm-ups - I enjoy these and so they help me smile and hopefully come across as a non-threatening group leader. It can also be an opportunity for everyone, including the professionals, to demonstrate their instrumental skills. Warm-ups should be technically straightforward with everyone working together to make a good sound. I usually just use percussion to start off with. It's great to start including all the group members' names with a chant or simple sung melody (I personally would stay away from singing at the beginning of the first session unless it was a singing session). There's no bigger welcome than hearing everyone say your name in a piece of music! You can also then introduce other interests, such as favourite films. This can all help a person to feel valued and can flag up some common interests and spark those all important social connections.
●Keep looking - Acknowledge when someone does something like playing something nice in the warm-ups. Continue to do this throughout the session.
Most of these ideas are very straightforward and can take place informally, even before the fun and creativity begins. Hopefully then participants will fully engage in a more positive and productive session!