Confidential - PACE HIV Prevention Weekend Workshops Structure

PACE HIV Prevention Weekend Workshops Structure PACE weekend workshops follow a common format, using an innovative and research-based therapeutic groupwork model, drawing on a wide range of evidence-based contemporary groupwork research, theory and practice. The workshops take place over 15 hours. Starting with a 2.5-hour introductory session on Thursday or Friday evening (6.30 – 9.00 pm), and continuing on Saturday and Sunday (10.00 am to 5.00 pm). Up to 14 people are recruited to each workshop. The following timings vary according to the needs of participants and the particular character of each group. For a full description of the PACE approach to therapeutic groupwork please see Talking Spaces II, available to download from www.pacehealth.org.uk/publications. Time Period Activity and Rational Intended Outcomes Thurs/Fri Eve Welcoming participants, orientating them to the Begin the process of building a cohesive 6.15 venue. Confidentialgroup. - PACE HIV Prevention Weekend Workshops Structure Pairs exercise, Introductions. 3 minutes in pairs, then move on to new person. Facilitator keeps time. Participants often arrive at different intervals, and are often apprehensive about the workshop and what will happen. This exercise allows a staggered start and ensures people feel welcome. Thurs/Fri Eve Opening Round. Participants share their name, how Enable therapeutic factors of Cohesion, 6.35 they are feeling and a brief description of what brings Identification, Normalisation and them to the workshop. This begins the process of Universality to occur. self-disclosure, focuses on feelings and reasons for being there. It sets the tone for one person speaking at a time and listening to each other. Considerable overlap of feelings and reasons for being usually occurs. Thurs/Fri Eve Name Game. Participants write their name on the Build Cohesion 6.45 flipchart and tell a story about it. Enables more self- disclosure of engaging, often humorous personal information. Thurs/Fri Eve Housekeeping. Facilitators give practical information Further orientate participants to the 6.55 about the venue and structure of the workshop. venue, and reassure them that their Maslow’s hierarchy of needs proposes that people physical needs will be met. need their practical and physical needs to be met before they can move on to meet other needs. Thurs/Fri Eve Basket Game. Participants take it in turns to share Enable therapeutic factors of Cohesion, 7.00 information about four topics that are personal to Identification, Normalisation, Universality them. Depending on the workshop these include: A and Catharsis to occur. Person, A Place, A Struggle, A Hope or a Wish, A Hobby or Interest. This continues and deepens self- disclosure, and enables therapeutic factors to continue. Thurs/Fri Eve Break. Informal social time for refreshments. 7.45 Considerable interpersonal interaction takes place in breaks, supporting the formal groupwork. Facilitators use the time to check in with individual participants, and review the last session or plan future sessions. Thurs/Fri Eve Agreements. The group devises a set of agreements Enable a feeling of safety and 8.00 to enable the workshop to be both safe and effective. transparent contracting about the Facilitator’s support by filling in gaps. The list purpose and function of the group. Confidential - PACE HIV Prevention Weekend Workshops Structure

1. Irvin Yalom has postulated a range of therapeutic factors that enable group therapy to be effective. These have been confirmed and developed by a wide range of empirical studies. Cohesion means group participants feel a sense of inclusion, belonging and connectedness to the group. Identification means group participants identify with each other’s histories, experiences and concerns. Normalisation means group participants see that their concerns are not unusual, but ‘normal’, and Universality means that participants see that their concerns often have a universal human quality to them. 2. Catharsis means the expression of emotion or feeling. 3. Self-understanding means learning about their personal motivations, patterns of behaviour, tendencies, and preferences. Inter-personal learning means learning about relating styles and their impact on other people. Instillation of hope means participants feel more hopeful that they can achieve their goals. 4. Process means reflect on and make sense of their experience, using the Adult Learning Cycle, and consider implications for the issue they are focusing on, and their lives in general.