Once Upon a Group
A Guide to Running and Participating in Successful Groups
2nd Edition
Published on 15. December 2010
Book
Paperback/Softback
112 pages
978-1-84905-166-8 (ISBN)
Description
Groups are a universal phenomenon, but their dynamics, make-up and customs can vary widely - a group can be anything from a family to a sports club. Having a good understanding of how groups work can make them more effective, enriching and fun.
Once Upon A Group is a short, light-hearted guide to groupwork, providing an easily-digestible way of understanding group dynamics, the practicalities of running a group, and how to participate in one. It covers how and where to set up a group, including the type of room used, the size of the group and the arrangement of chairs, and the importance of boundaries and rules within a group. It also covers issues such as communication, sensitivity, listening, leadership, decision-making, labelling and stereotyping, and forms of participation, among many others. Each topic is illustrated with a lively drawing to communicate the ideas presented. This second edition also covers diversity throughout and how to apply the ideas in the book to different settings.
Based on research but written in an instantly accessible style, this fun guide will be essential reading for all those involved in groupwork including health and social care practitioners, volunteers, advice workers, youth workers and students.
Once Upon A Group is a short, light-hearted guide to groupwork, providing an easily-digestible way of understanding group dynamics, the practicalities of running a group, and how to participate in one. It covers how and where to set up a group, including the type of room used, the size of the group and the arrangement of chairs, and the importance of boundaries and rules within a group. It also covers issues such as communication, sensitivity, listening, leadership, decision-making, labelling and stereotyping, and forms of participation, among many others. Each topic is illustrated with a lively drawing to communicate the ideas presented. This second edition also covers diversity throughout and how to apply the ideas in the book to different settings.
Based on research but written in an instantly accessible style, this fun guide will be essential reading for all those involved in groupwork including health and social care practitioners, volunteers, advice workers, youth workers and students.
Reviews / Votes
(...) this is a short, succinct and straightforward "guide" to all that is groupwork... Once upon a Group will provide indications of key matters to think about for the novice groupworker; for the more experienced it offers pertinent reminders and prompts about practices and considerations that may have become too familiar, taken-for-granted or simply forgotten -- BJCJ With its amusing little illustrations and its easy, fresh style, it is both informative and practical. Highly recommended for anyone working with groups. -- Caring Times This book delivers on its promise to be "a short, light-hearted guide to group work". It is aimed at the beginner and would work well as an accompanying workbook for those joining or setting up groups. It is very accessible and outlines aspects of group life using illustrated stick figure drawings throughout. -- Children & Young People NowMore details
Edition
2nd Revised edition
Language
English
Place of publication
London
United Kingdom
Target group
Professional and scholarly
Edition type
Revised edition
Product notice
Paperback (UK-trade)
Illustrations
96 line drawings
Dimensions
Height: 216 mm
Width: 141 mm
Thickness: 9 mm
Weight
159 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-84905-166-8 (9781849051668)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
Maggie Kindred | Michael Kindred
Once Upon a Group
A Guide to Running and Participating in Successful Groups
E-Book
06/2011
2nd Edition
Jessica Kingsley Publishers
€17.99
Available for download
Persons
Maggie Kindred is a retired qualified social worker, trainer and practice teacher. Michael Kindred is a freelance games designer and educational consultant. Their interests lie in groupwork, communication skills and teamwork, and they have written several publications in these areas. Maggie is author of A Practical Guide to Working with Reluctant Clients in Health and Social Care, published by Jessica Kingsley Publishers.
Content
1. Introduction. 2. Applying this Book to your Situation. Your role in life and work groups. Groupwork and professional standards. 3. Running a Group. A note on leadership. Laying the foundations. 4. A Brief Look at Origins of Group Behaviour. My first group. When groups become large. Size of groups. Number of relationships and size of groups. 5. Setting up Groups. Purpose and contract. Number of meetings. Meeting place. Seating arrangements - type of chair. Seating arrangements - arranging the chairs. Physical and emotional space. Size of meeting place. Temperature. Fresh air. Lighting. Breaks, including refreshments. 6. Boundaries and Rules. Punctuality - at the beginning. Degree of familiarity. Commitment. Confidentiality. Interruptions. Limits in general. Smoking. Punctuality - at the end. 7. Some Ways of Looking at Group Development. Task versus maintenance. Common threads running through various theories and models. Creativity and play. 8. What Goes on in Groups. Choosing a seat. Introducing a subject. Your opening contribution. Communication and lack of it. Non-verbal communication. Opting out. Sensitivity. Honesty about feelings. The art of listening. Dominant behaviour. Fight or flight. Democracy versus autocracy. Bids for leadership. Co-leadership. Sub-groups. Pairing. Red herrings. Level of involvement. Subversive behaviour. Decision-making. Group norms. Barriers and defences. Hidden agendas. Hanging bits of ourselves on others. The transfer system! Scapegoats. The group casualty. Labelling and stereotyping. Point-scoring. Pearls of wisdom. Over-dependence. Silences. Sexuality and sex. Waiting until the last moment. 9. Endings. Giving feedback. White elephants. Disbanding. Celebrations! Appendix - Running a group checklist. Bibliography.