Activity
EXPLORING AGEISM
Number of participants
Objectives
● To enable discussion on ageism and its impact.
● To foster and build relationships through the sharing of personal stories and experiences.
● To develop expressive and creative skills through a creative reflectionf process.
Where does the activity take place within the process
Duration
Material needed
Preparation
Prepare the room/space so that it is as spacious as it can be, without obstacles.
Step by step description
1. Initiate discussion to explore the topic of ageism. Ask participants to pair up with a partner from their own generation and discuss the following:
– What is ageism?
– Can you think of a time when you experienced or witnessed ageism?
– How did it make you feel?
2. After a few minutes, invite participants to pair up with a partner from a different generation and exchange the views and experiences they have discussed so far.
3. Double up pairs to form groups of four. Invite groups to come up with a definition of ageism and to discuss the examples of ageism they have shared.
4. Ask each group to create a scenario inspired by one or more of the examples. The scenario should include a scene that illustrates ageism taking place. Decide who is in the scene, where it is taking place and what is happening.
5. Ask each group of 4 to join with another group of 4 and share scenarios. Organise so that there are now only 2 or 3 groups.
6. Invite groups to create a story based on one of the scenarios or a combination of both.
7. Ask each group to create a still image representing the discrimination in action.
8. Invite each group to demonstrate their image for the rest of the group
9. Ask participants to suggest possible titles for each image
10. Introduce Forum Theatre. Invite groups to develop their still image into a scene
Closing up
Ask participants questions:
● What did you learn from this activity?
● Were you surprised by any of the stories you heard?
● How do you think stereotypes form?
● How do you think stereotypes affect identity?