Exercise

I have the power

Format: 
Group exercise
Time: 
30min
Required materials: 
None
Summary: 

This is a seemingly simple, but very moving, exercise to support participants in recognising the power and strength they have within to keep themselves safe and well.

Key explanation points:

  • Each participant sits in the middle of the room on a chair, with the facilitator behind him/her (the facilitator could put his/her hands on the participant’s shoulders to offer support if that is culturally/contextually appropriate—remember that physical touch can be supportive or upsetting, so always ask permission to touch a participant).
  • The participant is asked to tell the group the powers they have within themselves.
  • When all participants have spoken, the facilitator explains that this exercise is: to remind you of how strong you are, and how much you have within you. So often we hear about power that is scary, destructive; this is about the power to keep ourselves strong and safe.

Facilitation notes:

  • Use this exercise at the end of the day, as a strong and positive closing exercise.
  • While it is important not to limit the participants as they describe the power they have, as a guideline, facilitators could suggest they list 3–5 powers.