Toolbox — For Training and Youth Work
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Group Division, Group Building Activity
A game to match "buddies" in the group without outcasting individuals. Includes everyone into searching for the best possible match for someone else. The template can be adjusted according to your needs.
To set up the system of "buddies", to match participants in pairs according to their personalities and individual needs. To teach giving clear "terms of reference" and empathy towards others.
To build trust within the group.
1. Explanation on "Buddy" system (the way you need it, we suggest this pairing for special tasks and for reaching out to one another in case of a need) and fulfilling the individual card (one side of the paper) - mention they should be precise as someone else will search according to their explanation. The card includes a favourite emoji, a life motto, individual needs (for individuals with low English level, or for trigger warnings and so on) and a diagram on 'prefered Frequency and Depth' of communication (as in the picture, participants will copy the diagram and add only one dot on it). After some minutes of making their cards, participants write their name on the other side (it shouldn't be visible from the main side).
2. A volunteer collects all the cards, tosses them and spreds randomly one card per person. It is possible either to tackle getting one's own card or to leave it to be this way.
3. Explanation to find a best possible match for their card. The desired frequency and depth should be taken into consideration, while emoji and life motto can support in personality matching.
4. Participants stand up and compare the cards in their hands with others until they find a good match. "Specified needs" can be handled by participants who see the names on the other sides of their papers. When a match is found, one person takes both cards and both participants sit down.
5. When everyone is sitting, the announcements begin: individuals holding two cards announce the new 'buddy pair' and everyone congratulates them.
6. Giving time for the new buddies to get to know each other. (optional) Buddies have to prepare envelopes for each other, reflecting how they see the personality of their buddy - it is done by them together. The envelopes are stuck on the wall until the last day for messages from any other participant.
SALTO cannot be held responsible for the inappropriate use of these training tools. Always adapt training tools to your aims, context, target group and to your own skills! These tools have been used in a variety of formats and situations. Please notify SALTO should you know about the origin of or copyright on this tool.
http://toolbox.salto-youth.net/5050
This tool addresses
Social Inclusion, Peer education
It is recommended for use in:
Youth Exchanges
Materials needed:
Paper (a quater of A4 per participant), same-colour writing tools/pens, whiteboard or presentation to demonstrate the template.
Duration:
30 minutes to 1 hour
The tool was created by
Natallia Hardzei, a young youth worker from Belarus
in the context of
A youth exchange on mental well-being "Love Exchange" in summer 2025
The tool has been experimented in
the mentioned youth exchange
The tool was published to the Toolbox by
Natallia Hardzei (on 9 August 2025)
and last modified
2 August 2025
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