Why Play?
The benefits of play for children have long been documented, but there is increasing evidence to show that the use of play, (and the attitude of playfulness) and creativity can promote a sense of wellbeing in adults in daily life and in the workplace.
In the ever-increasing pressure of the modern, busy lives we lead, we have seen an increase of success, but also of anxiety-related conditions; at PACT Creative, we believe that our creative, playful workshops are the perfect antidote to the stressful, pressurised environments and situations we often find ourselves in.
Ongoing benefits of Play – Play is a serious business!
There is much research into the benefits of play in the workplace, and the ongoing impact of an approach which embraces playfulness and a means of lowering stress and increases productivity through joy rather than pressure. Play is rich in transferable skills –regular involvement in a creative, playful activity has been shown to lower stress, boost confidence. It can also promote the ability to collaborate, think on our feet in new or challenging situations and most of all, it’s fun!
Here are a couple of quotes which sum up our ethos at PACT Creative:
“…There is a kind of magic in play. What might seem like a frivolous or even childish pursuit is ultimately beneficial. It’s paradoxical that a little bit of “nonproductive” activity can make one enormously more productive and invigorated in other aspects of life.”
Dr Stuart M. Brown Jr. Founder, National Institute of Play
“Laughter reduces mental tension and increases energy, enabling you to stay focused and accomplish more. Both sides of the brain are stimulated during laughing encouraging clarity, humour and creativity and better problem solving ability.”
Sebastian Gendry, Expert in Laughter for Wellness and Founder of Laughter Online University
What we can offer:
We practise what we preach! Our regular involvement with creativity and play means we can happily tailor a workshop to suit your needs; we will create a unique Team Building experience for your staff; enabling them to let off steam, integrate new team members and support good team/client relationships. Our creative workshops are also perfect for a group of friends looking to experience something together or create an atmosphere of joy and good spirits.
We have a series of packages which we can discuss to suit your needs:
One-off – Unusual Birthday Party activity, Hen Do, Office Party activity/Team Building Day
Annual – As part of a company’s Wellbeing in the Workplace initiative, skills sharing
Block – A series of different workshops for staff, using a basis of play to focus on different themes
Whole company Cross functional Play Integration – We will work with you to create groups who will participate in our Creative Play training, working with all the members of your company until each member of staff has worked with all the others. By the time your AGM comes around, you will feel the benefits of better camaraderie amongst a relaxed workforce who have experienced each other in a different context and have developed more trust and a good basis for working relationships.
When you book a PACT Creative Workshop you are investing in yourself, your team and your community. We aim to make the workplace – and the world –a better place through laughter and play
We come to you!
We are based in North London, but we are mobile so we can come to your office, living room or a space close to your office that you have hired for a team Day. All we need is a space cleared of desks/furniture, big enough to accommodate the number of participants and a chair for each of them (and one of our facilitators) Min 10m x 5m for 15 people
Numbers:
We can work with a minimum group size of 6
There is no upper limit to how many we can work with, however if you want your group groups above 25 will be split into smaller groups for some activities to maximise enjoyment, time and safety.
Who Are We?
Jess Shaw
Jess is the founder of PACT Creative Training. Jess uses humour, play and improvisation as tools for transformative sessions offering support around themes such as Team Building, wellbeing, confidence building and conflict resolution. Jess has over 18 years’ experience working with adults, children and young people in a wide range of settings such as companies, charities, schools, prisons, youth centres, alternative education provisions and universities. Jess is a true believer in using fun and playfulness in order to create a safe space to share and learn.
Monique Howie
Monique is a Child/Adolescent Psychotherapist. As well as having a private practice she has 13 years’ experience working in Primary Schools using play and creative resources to work therapeutically with children in groups and one to one to gain listening skills, develop empathy, explore/manage difficult feelings and behaviours. Monique has a passion for the use of play between staff and children to shift negative patterns of relating and to enhance all the aspects of learning in school life.
In addition to their private work, both facilitators spent 10 years with Kids Company, the former children’s charity, working with children, supporting teaching staff and creating and running training for volunteers which formed a compulsory part of the application process to volunteer with the organisation.
REACH in Schools workshops are a collaborative creation of Jess and Monique
Contact Us to book a workshop
