I thoroughly enjoyed my first Values workshop. When we entered the class, we were split into four groups consisting of approximately eight to ten people. Each group was then handed an envelope and instructed not to open in until the instructions were read out to us. We were informed that there were objects inside the envelope, and within the first ten minutes of our task we were to come up with an idea of an object that would benefit a first-year student starting at the University of Dundee. My group opened our envelope and poured out the contents; one piece of white paper, a few paper clips, some blue tack, a few elastic bands, a pencil and a pen. At first nobody knew what to say as there wasn’t much that could be made out of such limited resources. There were not many suggestions, however, one that did qualify as a possibility was that the elastic bands could be used as wristbands for buddies to wear in order for the first years to seek out someone if they ever required help, such as directions. After much discussion, as a group, we decided that the best ‘help’ object we could make out of our limited supplies was a map of the Dalhousie building. This was decided as most members of the group admitted they struggled with finding their way around. During our discussion time, my group and I noticed how other groups had been provided with better materials than ourselves. Our advisor stopped our discussions after ten minutes and asked us to build what we had decided using the contents of our envelope.

This task proved a lot more difficult than originally expected as the Dalhousie building is very big and we had only been provided with a small piece of A4 paper. We managed to build some sort of map that illustrated the bottom floor of the Dalhousie building. After another ten minutes, we were instructed to stop what we were doing.

All groups presented their final product and we were shocked to see what two other groups had produced. One had designed a pencil case with all of the essential stationary a first year would need, and another had created a guide to University life in Dundee. The group next to us had opted for the same option as us, a map. Both groups who had created maps of the University of Dundee felt cheated that the other two groups had been given such better commodities to create their final product with.

Finally, our advisor told us what the aim of this task was. It was to illustrate that those who have a lot in life do not notice those who are struggling with so little, however, those with not much notice those who are given more help to achieve their best.

It is important to note how this relates to everyday life. Many children in less privileged schools are aware of the success and positive outcomes at the more privileged schools, however, it is not the same the other way around. The children in the better off schools are not aware of how less privileged schools do not have as much as they do. Overall, I felt the first Values workshop had a powerful meaning behind it and was highly beneficial to take part in.