Teambuilding Ideas

[Polotoo]

Hi all!

Don't know if this should be here or in B&S, but I'll try here first. I am a member of a very small team at work (4) and we've been given a small budget to do a team away-day for team building.

The trouble is we are struggling to come up with some ideas, as most places want more people. Can anyone suggest anything?

We are a mixed group and our ages range from 25-57, don't want anything too energetic, or where we have to travel too far. We are in East Anglia so anywhere within 4hrs drive?

Any ideas welcome........ thanks!!

[vehelpfulguy]

If it does not have to be too formal why not go on a short ramble together, or round a country house or other famous building.

Or why not do a days charity work together.

[pedderwo]

I know that you said that you didn�t want to do anything too energetic but something like a long walk in the country followed by a well earned pub meal could work wonders. Also Gorge walking is great fun and not always too energetic, but maybe not in East Anglia. Try outdoor pursuits centers. Also Orienteering???

[pedderwo]

What about throwing clay pots etc in Northhampton. Look at studio5ceramics.co.uk.

[ugly_bob]

Try wyboston lakes. They do a lot of teambuilding things there. On A1 about 5miles north of Sandy. Don't know the costs, but will give you nice 'The Office' style team building activities

[Polotoo]

Thanks everyone, whatever we decide to do, we have to submit a plan to the chief exec detailing what we will get out of the day to help us grow as a team!

Rambling or orientering sounds good so does the pub afterwards pedderwo!! We're all at different levels of fitness so I was worried people would suggest one of these 6 mile hike followed by canoeing, bike riding etc!!! Something a bit sporty is good, we all like walking too.

Vehelpful guy - I suggested a days charity work myself, but it was pooh poohed by the others!! There used to be a charity shop you could hire and do all the sorting, pricing etc and it had a little tea shop too. I helped out there a few years back and it was great!

Someone else suggested something like orientering but with incidents/puzzles you have to solve on your way round. Anyone have any experience of this or know anywhere nearby?

Throwing claypots sounds good too, I'll check the link in a minute. And I'll have a look at wyboston lakes too.

Cheers for the ideas - keep them coming!!

[Harry Nuttal]

Charity work for a day shouldn't be pooh-poohed. Danger is that you end up doing something for you four; try doing something for others less favoured. You'd get plenty out of it, I'm sure. And make sure you invite the chief exec along. Make sure it's something that will wipe the smug look off his face.

[Polotoo]

Hi Harry

I couldn't agree with you more about the charity work, as personally I found it very awarding. The charity shop I helped to run is no longer there, and don't really know of anywhere else where you can help out for a day, and really have to work together as a team, which for us is what the day has to be about. But if you can think of something else similar, I'd be happy to consider it?

As for our chief exec, I have to say he isn't smug and our company is a registered charity (although not in a traditional/charity-type shop way) and we do support a number of local charity etc with funding to continue. So although not necessarily active as such, I do think my company does their bit.

It was the rest of my team who looked at me like I was a loon! (which is nothing new!)

Thanks for your comments though.

[Harry Nuttal]

Hi. I spent a rewarding few months working with a group who were making their way back into society after periods of prison largely because of drink and drugs dependency. Their big problem in the "haf-way house" run by a church group was boredom. So we did all sorts of things. We made the vegentable soup one day for the "soup kitchen", I organised general knowledge quizzes, we made toy wooden cars for charity shops and I did basic English courses. I gave out a few packets of ten cigarettes as prizes from time to time. By the end of the summer the winners were immediately sharing them out among their pals instead of stuffing the pack in their pockets . Team spirit? Well, those lads began to learn what it was all about. There might be a similar organisation in your area who would welcome your "team" input?

Another thought: There must be some aid group close by who have premises but no money who would welcome a spring clean - bum some paint off B&Q and get cracking.