'Would I Lie To You?' Game

2 hours ago
3 min read

WOULD I LIE TO YOU?

Activity Guide for Coordinators

“Would I Lie To You?” is a fun, interactive reminiscence and storytelling activity based on the popular television programme. Participants share surprising, unusual or interesting facts about themselves, some of which are true and some of which are made up. The rest of the group then ask questions and try to decide which are truths and which are lies.

The activity encourages conversation, laughter, curiosity and social connection whilst giving participants the opportunity to share life experiences, memories and achievements.

This activity aims to:

• Encourage communication and conversation

• Promote reminiscence and sharing of life stories

• Improve confidence and self-esteem

• Foster social interaction and group cohesion

• Stimulate memory and recall

• Encourage listening and questioning skills

• Create opportunities for humour and enjoyment

• Help participants learn more about one another

Preparation

Ask participants (with support from care partners if required) to prepare a list of approximately 10 interesting facts about themselves.

Ideally:

• 7–8 facts should be true

• 2–3 facts should be made up

Facts should be positive, light-hearted and suitable for group discussion.

Encourage participants to think about:

• Holidays and travel

• Childhood memories

• Hobbies and interests

• Jobs and careers

• Celebrity encounters

• Funny mishaps

• Sporting achievements

• Unusual experiences

Ask participants and care partners to avoid facts that may be upsetting, traumatic or likely to cause distress.

Running the Activity

Choose a Chairperson to hold the Fact Sheets.

The Chairperson selects one fact at a time and reads it aloud to the group.

The participant whose fact is being discussed answers questions from the other participants, who act as the Panel.

After questioning, the Panel votes whether they believe the fact is TRUE or a LIE.

The answer is then revealed.

Points can be awarded for correct guesses and bonus points given for entertaining stories, clever bluffing or particularly surprising revelations.

Benefits

This activity often produces a great deal of laughter and conversation. Participants are frequently surprised by the experiences, achievements and adventures of people they thought they knew well.

Many groups discover hidden talents, fascinating life stories and shared experiences that may otherwise never have been discussed.

The activity can be particularly effective for building friendships and strengthening group identity.

Song Suggestions

• Would I Lie To You? – Eurythmics

• Little Lies – Fleetwood Mac

• Suspicious Minds – Elvis Presley

• The Great Pretender – The Platters

• Getting To Know You - The King And I

These songs work particularly well because they reflect the themes of storytelling, truth and deception and developing friendships and trust that run throughout the activity.

Coordinator’s Tip

The most successful sessions are usually those where the Coordinator joins in as well. Sharing your own facts (and a few lies!) helps participants relax, encourages conversation and creates an atmosphere of fun and friendly competition.

Above all, remember that this is not really about spotting the lies — it is about discovering the remarkable stories that people carry with them.

My Truths & Lies

TRUE. I did going digging in winter on Dartmoor, looking for a golden egg certificate from the 'Cadbury's Cream Egg Treasure Hunt' book 'Conundrum.
TRUE. I did indeed climb up Mont St Michel on crutches with a broken foot. I was half way up before I realised I had made a mistake and that it was one way, so I had to keep going.
LIE. Sadly I never have got to meet Kate Bush in person.
TRUE. Toby was apparently my imaginary friend for several years as a young child.
TRUE. Yes, we had moved onto a new estate opposite the show house. One Easter Monday a van showed up with two men to clear the house. Thinking this was in readiness for the new home owner to move in, I offered to help and was later questioned by police who made me look at photofits of the men.
TRUE. I took disabled children to Lourdes for several years running as a volunteer with the HCPT.
TRUE. I sang a solo when the school choir performed 'Jonah Man Jazz' in front of Princess Anne at the Bristol Hippodrome.
TRUE. A few years back I was awarded an MBE for services to people with dementia.
TRUE. Very embarrassingly, I never knew what "Black Tie" meant.
LIE. Though I have walked much of the South West coastal path.