Introduction
The International HIV/AIDS Alliance (the Alliance) is an international non-governmental organisation that supports communities in developing countries to make a significant contribution to HIV prevention, AIDS care and support to children affected by the epidemic. Since its establishment in 1993, the Alliance has provided financial and technical support to NGOs and CBOs from more than 40 countries. In addition, the Alliance promotes good practice in community responses to HIV/AIDS more broadly through evaluation, operations research, the development of training materials and tools, as well as policy and advocacy activities.

100 Ways to Energise Groups: Games to Use in Workshops, Meetings and the Community is one of a series of resources that the Alliance is developing to encourage participation in practice. It is a compilation of energisers, icebreakers and games that can be used by anyone working with groups of people, whether in a workshop, meeting
or community setting.

Why use energisers?
Facilitators use games for a variety of different reasons, including helping people to get to know each other, increasing energy or enthusiasm levels, encouraging team building or making people think about a specific issue. Games that help people to get to know each other and to relax are called ice breakers. When people look sleepy or tired,
energisers can be used to get people moving and  to give them more enthusiasm. Other games can be used to help people think through issues and can help to address problems that people may encounter when they are working together. Games can also help people to think creatively and laterally.

This guide includes all these different types of games – in no particular order – and facilitators can pick and choose those that are most appropriate for their specific purpose and context.

Things to consider when using Energisers
✔ Try to use energisers frequently during a workshop or meeting, whenever people look sleepy or tired or to create a natural break between activities.
✔ Try to choose games that are appropriate for the local context, for example, thinking carefully about games that involve touch, particularly of different body parts.
✔ Try to select games in which everyone can participate and be sensitive to the needs and circumstances of the group. For example, some of these games may exclude
people with disabilites, such as difficulty walking or hearing, or people with different levels of comfort with literacy.
✔ Try to ensure the safety of the group, particularly with games that involve running. For example, try to make sure that there is enough space and that the floor
is clear.
✘ Try not to use only competitive games but also include ones that encourage team building.
✘ Try to avoid energisers going on for too long. Keep them short and move on to the next planned activity when everyone has had a chance to move about and wake up!

Download the entire book here.