Intro
Not everybody loves socialising in large groups. To those with a quieter disposition, or those who lack in confidence it can feel pretty overwhelming. That’s why this idea of getting just 3 or 4 people together for a special tea party, can work wonders. It’s easy to organise but by making that little bit of extra effort, you can make everyone feel valued and comfortable – and who doesn’t love a spot of tea and a delicious slab of cake?
What you need
- Tea and coffee, plus cakes and biscuits
- A small table that’s decoratively laid with cups and saucers or mugs (depending what your group prefers)
- A few quick activities for people to enjoy, such as reading the newspaper, writing poetry, playing a quiz, or having a discussion using reminiscence cards
The Activity
- Invite your small group to join together in a quiet and private space
- Welcome people as they arrive, seating them at the table and encouraging them to introduce themselves
- Make everyone feel special, by taking orders for teas and coffees café-style
- After you’ve served the refreshments, sit with the group and encourage conversation
- If people don’t feel able to chat or would prefer to sit quietly, that’s ok, just gently check in with them every now and then, so they don’t feel excluded
- ·Depending on the mood and abilities of your group, introduce a small activity like reading through the newspaper and discussing daily topics, reading some poetry that fits with the season, hosting a non-competitive quiz, or passing around some pictures that people can use to spark memories
- Once everyone’s finished their drinks and had a lovely time, don’t forget to arrange a date to do it all over again!
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