Inclusion Through Play

In this episode, Joanne Lockwood speaks with learning and development specialist Nikie Forster about how playful methods can make training more inclusive and effective. The conversation centres on LEGO Serious Play, custom activities, and other hands-on techniques that help participants feel comfortable, contribute in their own way, and engage more deeply with learning.

Joanne and Nikie explore the limits of traditional one-size-fits-all training and discuss the importance of designing for different learning styles, pacing, and levels of confidence. They talk about setting adult expectations in the room, creating psychological safety, using pre-workshop preparation to understand participants’ needs, and adapting facilitation in the moment based on what the room needs.

The episode also reflects on Nikie’s career journey into learning and development, her experience of using creative tools to encourage discussion, and her belief that inclusion is not just about content but about how people are treated in the learning experience. The overall message is that inclusive facilitation can help people feel valued, connected, and able to learn more effectively.