Community and Intergenerational Groups

We have all heard the phrase 'a broken society' and, even if we are only half awake, we are aware that 'social cohesion' is an ongoing concern and that there is a growing lack of respect and understanding between generations, between different races and cultures, and for those with different beliefs and values.

How will we be able to better understand this rather than pigeon-hole it and retreat to the known and the familiar? The differences between groups in the community, between generations or cultures may at times seem irreconcilable. We could look for and bring to the foreground the parts of our lives that have not changed. We all have hopes and fears, aspirations and disappointments, successes and failures, likes and dislikes etc. Sharing some of these stories will reveal the historical context and the 'lens' through which we view society and our lives within it.

But that 'lens' begins to limit our understanding if we are not prepared to see things from another's point of view - to step into another person's shoes.

On Q is a way of bringing the groups together by providing a 'prompt' or 'cue' (Qcard) to inspire that type of conversation that enriches our understanding of other people's lives. It helps us to be more tolerant and to refrain from sitting in judgement of those who have different sets of values.

The overall response has been that it's fun and eye-opening: which is what we wanted. It brings people together and allows them to ponder the extraordinary.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

What people are saying

"We played the team version of On Q first and then later the 'lying' version with two different groups of people - the similarity being that the ages ranged from 18-85. Both versions were great fun. But the most positive outcome was the change in the way the younger people spoke to the older people after we had finished - there was genuine interest and respect shown for their experiences in life."
ME, Reading

"I have played On Q in three different group situations over the Christmas period. Each time a high percentage of the players were people who described themselves as people who do not usually like playing games but ended up having a really positive experience.

On one occasion an eight-year-old boy begged to play the game over supper (having previously played it when he was given it by grandparents the day before.) This was surprisingly successful, linking generations and people who were previously unknown to each other, and helping the one younger child in the group to feel included in 'dinner table' conversation."

"Waiting for the clock to turn midnight on New Year's Eve did not drag this year. We played On Q with young people and old people - so interesting to hear how different generations see things!!"
JC, Ireland