01

Creating
Caring Spaces

Creating a caring spaces (or otherwise known as a ‘safe space’) in meetings, workshops or shared group sessions — are a great way to think about how to make everyone who is participating feel safe, included and heard in these settings. When caring spaces are created, we can have more open discussions and navigate through group agreements.

Time
30–60mins
Group Size
2–30
Facilitation Level
Medium
Comfort Zone
Safe

Purpose

This session is about reflecting on what will help create safe, caring environments where people can contribute to conversations freely speaking their minds and be heard without fear of judgement.

Instructions
  1. Reflect

    Think about the benefits of creating a safe and caring environment
to the group. This involves everyone to agree on how to behave and communicated within this shared, discussion space. 
 
  2. What are some good guidelines for communication?
    
Note these ideas down on the template. Use the tools on the template 
or via Miro to help you.
 
  3. How would you like people to behave in a discussion space?

    Think about what type of behaviours would and wouldn’t work in this space and note them down.
 
  4. Making Sense

    At the end of the session, split into groups of 2 and reflect on what has been documented on the template. Share why you think what’s been written here is important and if you have had any positive or negative experiences in these spaces.
 
  5. Re-Share, Re-Tell

    Coming back to the main room, to show the team’s commitment to creating a caring space, everyone will need to sign off at the end of
the sheet as way to show that everyone agrees with what has been mapped out. 
 
  6. To Finish

    Add this artwork to the journey board. You can revisit at any time, especially if team members feel unsafe, or if any part of the caring spaces map is not being respected.

Facilitator Notes
  • Use the 'book' template and drag this into the workshop space as to help the group brainstorm during this session.
  • In an activity like this, you may need to guide participants with the prompts as they are brainstorming. These sessions are usually reflective and can be quiet. Encourage the group to use nonverbal ways to communicate such as drawing or images.
  • It is really important that the group signs off at the end of book as a way to show that everyone agrees what contributes to a creating safe, caring spaces.