The wish well
Ongoing or theme-based
Easy
Bucket or other container, decorative materials (fabric, paper, LED lights, etc.), paper and pens, and a sign for the well
No upper limit
How to do it
Tip:
The design of the well can be adapted to the season, event, or theme—for example, a snow-covered winter well or a blooming spring well.
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Work with the young people to create a wishing well that looks like a real well. Use fabric, stickers, candles, or cardboard for decoration.
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Choose a location where the wishing well is easily accessible to the young people. The wishing well can be a permanent feature of the premises or a temporary, theme-based element.
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Clearly write down what the wishes are about at the moment, for example:
“How do you like to exercise?” or “How can we get more exercise into our everyday lives?” -
Keep paper and pens next to the well so that young people can write down their wishes. If they want, the wishes can be written anonymously.
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Regularly review the wishes together with leaders or a follow-up group and discuss which wishes can be implemented and when.
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Inform the young people about how their wishes have been handled, for example:
“The wish well contained requests for more outdoor activities – next week we are organizing a frisbee golf outing!”
Listening to young people’s opinions and making them visible strengthens participation, empowerment, and trust. The wishes written down in the well offer a low-threshold way to express oneself and influence everyday life. When young people notice that their ideas lead to concrete actions, a positive feeling of influence arises, which also promotes well-being.