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Nicofiends activity

Choice Compass

A simple trail activity where young people build their own plan for handling pressure.

What it explores

This activity helps young people think about what they could say, do or remember when pressure shows up. Young people move around four compass points, choose realistic ideas and create their own Choice Compass plan.
Time
15 to 20 mins
Age
Ages 11 to 16
Setting
Classroom, Youth group, Community setting, At home
Group size
Pairs, small groups or whole group

Activity at a glance

Best for

Practising how to respond to pressure in a calm, realistic way.

You’ll need

Four compass signs: Notice, Say, Exit and With. Pressure cards. My Choice Compass sheet. Pens. Optional response cards.

Key message

You do not need the perfect comeback. You just need a plan that helps you pause, choose and move away from pressure.

How to run it

    1. Put four compass signs around the room or on a table: Notice, Say, Exit and With.
    2. Give each pair or small group one pressure card. They can use a card from the pack or a pressure shown by their own Nicofiend character.
    3. Ask groups to visit each compass point and choose one idea for their plan.
    4. At Notice, they name the pressure. For example: “This is making it sound normal” or “This is trying to make someone fit in.”
    5. At Say, they choose one line that feels realistic. For example: “I’m good”, “Not for me” or “I’ll pass.”
    6. At Exit, they choose one way to leave or change the moment. For example: change the subject, move to another group or go and do something else.
    7. At With, they choose who could help. For example: a friend, older young person, youth worker, teacher, parent, carer or trusted adult.
    8. Give each young person a My Choice Compass sheet and ask them to write their own plan.
    9. Finish by asking them to choose one reminder line they want to keep, such as “I can pause before I decide” or “I do not have to join in.”

Discussion prompts

  • Which pressure card felt most realistic?
  • Which response would feel easiest to use?
  • Why can pressure feel harder when other people are watching?
  • What helps someone leave without making a big scene?
  • Who could help someone stick with their own choice?

Reflection

Choice Compass helps young people turn pressure into a simple plan.

It shows that saying no does not have to be loud or dramatic. A response can be quiet, quick, funny, honest or practical.

The aim is for each young person to leave with one line, one exit idea and one person they could go to for support.

Download printable materials

Link To Smoking, Vaping or Nicotine

Pressure around smoking, vaping or nicotine can show up in small social moments.

It might be a joke, a dare, a group chat, a colourful product, a flavour, a confident friend or the feeling that everyone else is doing it.

Choice Compass helps young people think about what they could do before that pressure happens. It links directly to the Nicofiends idea: spot the pressure, then choose what to do next.

Adapting the activity

Make it Easier

Use one pressure card as a whole group. Keep the compass signs on a table instead of moving around the room. Let young people choose from response cards instead of writing their own ideas.

Make it Harder

Ask young people to create their own pressure cards. Ask older young people to make two plans: one for themselves and one for helping a friend. Rangers, older Scouts or youth leaders could run the activity with a younger group.

Safety Note

Keep the discussion general and scenario based. Do not ask young people to share personal or family experiences of smoking, vaping or nicotine use. Do not ask where products are bought or who uses them. Follow your setting’s safeguarding process if a young person raises a concern.

Ready to Run The Acitvity

Download the activity PDF or go back to the resource hub to find another activity.

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