Social contact at Get Moving events

How can Get Moving organisers achieve social contact at their event?

Achieving social contact at your Get Moving event may take a little thought initially but will ensure that everyone has a great
time and your event helps to break down stigma!

The best way to ensure your event is effective in developing social contact is to think about:

• partnerships
• promotion
• planning

Partnerships: Building local partnerships with other
organisations can ensure there is a diverse group of people at your
event. There are numerous organisations
that may be happy to be involved, especially organisations who have physical activity projects or a mental health focus. You could approach:

- local
sports teams, walking clubs, gyms, student associations, mental health centres and charities, schools
or places of worship. 

Promotion: In order to achieve a good mix of people, you need to promote your event and start to spread the word. Order your free Get Moving event materials and post them around your local community including GP surgeries, libraries, leisure centres, sports clubs, community centres and local businesses. It's a good idea to think about using the networks of your partners to promote your event and also invite local businesses who may want to get involved.

Planning: There's lots you can do at your event to encourage good social contact and you can plan how this will work early on. Once people are at your event, you should think about how you can build a friendly atmosphere and encourage people to
interact with each other. If you are planning a
walking event there may be opportunities to stop at a local beauty spot
or share a picnic at the end. If your event is a football tournament
you might mix up teams or plan a social event afterwards. If you are
planning a dancing event you could ensure that everyone swaps partners
regularly. You might
plan verbal warm-up exercises to help break the ice, ideas include asking participants to:

- greet as many people as possible
- find the favourite songs of five people they have
never previously met
- tell a joke to five people
- tell five
people a special talent they have.