The Dialogue Society recently held a Life of a Chickpea training day, welcoming 10 young volunteers from universities and colleges across the UK. The training was delivered by Dialogue Society facilitators Bensgisue Sevik and Saide Cakmak, equipping volunteers with the knowledge and skills needed to deliver the workshop in schools and community settings.
During the session, participants explored how creative imagination can be used to engage young people with British values, including democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty, and mutual respect and tolerance. Volunteers were guided through the project’s central question, “What dish would you like to be in, if you were a chickpea?”, and learned how it encourages reflection on identity, equality, and belonging.
The training also introduced Noah’s Pudding as a dialogue tool, highlighting its symbolism of diversity and coexistence through a story shared across faith traditions. Alongside content learning, volunteers developed practical facilitation skills to confidently lead discussions and create safe spaces for dialogue. Cllr Freda Geddes, the Mayor of Gateshead, joined us and shared her wisdom on public speaking and classroom presence — your words truly motivated everyone in the room.
By the end of the day, volunteers felt well prepared to support the delivery of the Life of a Chickpea project, contributing to the Dialogue Society’s wider mission of promoting social cohesion and empowering young leaders.
