“Pass or Play?” — The Hidden Power of a Good Quiz

This morning at Minton Court, we ran a lively, laughter-filled general knowledge quiz — but this was no ordinary trivia round.

Each team took turns rolling a coloured dice to pick their topic. Then they had to make a quick decision: Pass or play? The clock was ticking! This fast-paced format brought a buzz of excitement, friendly competition, and lots of talking and thinking.

Some residents came into the session saying, “I’m not really a quiz person” — but by the end, they were smiling, scoring points, and even winning! It was a reminder that confidence grows when people are given the chance to succeed in a supportive, low-pressure environment.

But beyond the fun and games, there were real therapeutic benefits to this kind of activity:

• 🧠 Cognitive stimulation – Engaging memory, attention, and language in an enjoyable way

• 💬 Social connection – Encouraging conversation, teamwork, and shared laughter

• 💡 Confidence building – Challenging self-limiting beliefs and celebrating small wins

• 🎲 Executive functioning – Making decisions, responding under time pressure, managing strategy

• 🎭 Emotional wellbeing – Joy, pride, and belonging in a group that values everyone’s contributions

Occupational therapy in action doesn’t always look like “therapy” — it often looks like fun. Today was a perfect example of how a structured, inclusive group can promote participation and meaning in everyday life.

We also had a joyful chat about our space hopping challenge — several residents had seen the photos and videos online and said it made them laugh out loud this morning! They've promised to tune in on Saturday at 10am for our next leg: Penarth to Cardiff Bay — space hoppers at the ready! 🚀💥