Storytelling Across the Generations

Produce a journaling program, with the intention that individuals from two different generations journey together through two different journals that mirror questions and artefacts relevant to their generations.

The two generations this would focus on are currently identified as the highest rated age groups in their ‘struggle with loneliness’

• 18-25 year olds
• 75+ year olds

Meeting regularly, individuals from the two different generations are partnered together and encouraged to converse about their lived experiences around particular topics. This could either be a facilitated program led by a facilitator who walks a group of partnered participants through the journal pages, or the journals would be intuitive enough for individuals to be self-guided through the program.

The intention would be that over 12 sessions they ask each other the pre-written questions from the journal pages to encourage robust conversation and connection.

Possible topics;

• Communication
• Climate Change/Nature
• Health/Food
• Work/Stress
• Community/Friendships
• Religion/Belief
• Trends (fashion)/Self-esteem

The use of photographs, world or national events, recipes, etc. significant to that generation all could be used to encourage conversation.

The journaling exercises could be facilitated as a group (eg. Aged-care home, Corps, Local Library) or implemented over a cup of tea and conversation as two individuals. With consideration given to ensure the exercises cater to the individual generation. Eg. Tick boxes for some responses, a digital option available,  etc.

Note: Inspiration for this journaling program came from the possibility of what could be a scaled-back version of the ‘4 Years Old’ Social Experiment presented on the ABC a few years back. With the difference being that both generations represented have something in common, their susceptibility to loneliness.

Criteria for the Shared Journaling Program: Storytelling Across the Generations

• They are willing to meet regularly (eg. Weekly, fortnightly or monthly)
• They would be willing to share their insights.
• They produce an artefact of these conversations.