Head, heart, bag and bin

Head, heart, bag and bin

Head, Heart, Bag and Bin is an informal and user friendly method of gathering feedback and/or evaluation on a topic, event, project or training.

  • Time to do: 5 to 10 minutes, depending on how many people are taking part and if you are using it as evaluation or feedback about a project or service.
  • Staff: one facilitator. The feedback will also have to be gathered and written up by a staff member. A second person may be needed if drawing round a person to get the outline.
  • Cost: £
  • Equipment: paper, pens, small bin and bag (if not using a drawn one), post-it notes, display board or table
  • one-to-one
  • small groups
  • large groups
  • face-to-face

How to do it

  • Using a large piece of paper (the back of a roll of wallpaper is ideal) draw an outline of a person, a large heart shape on the chest and separate carrier bag and bin.
    • Alternatively you can also use an actual small bin and carrier bag.
    • Each participant can also be given an A4 sheet of paper with a drawing of a head, heart, bag, bin for individual feedback
  • Each participant writes comment(s) on sticky notes and attaches them to the appropriate place:
    • Head - "something I have learned (from being part of this)"
    • Heart - "something I’ve felt or experienced"
    • Bag - "something I will take away with me"
    • Bin - "Anything I didn’t find useful, or which could have gone better"

Advantages

  • Easy to understand and can be delivered in a way which can be useful in working with particular community groups and people with protected characteristics.
  • Fun, informal and can encourage conversations
  • Visual – use colour to capture people’s attention
  • Low cost
  • Open and transparent feedback mechanism

Challenges

  • Needs time to explain to people, or should have clear instructions available
  • Support may be needed to help people with mobility issues and access needs. Facilitators can write down comments and stick them to the display.

Tips

  • This tool can be used with all audiences but is particularly useful when engaging with people with learning disabilities and young people. It is also useful when collecting feedback from members of the public as it is a good visual display and can catch the eye of people passing by.
  • It can also be left at a market stall with sticky notes and instructions for people to complete

Examples

Last Updated: 14 December 2020
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