Care home residents get student help boost

MIXING the younger and older generations together is one way of reducing loneliness.

In Sheffield both university students and care home residents benefit from the volunteering project Together by Student.com.

The initiative connects two of the age groups most at risk of loneliness and this Christmas students and pensioners celebrated with a tea party at Sheffcare Care Home.

Students are automatically enrolled as volunteers in care homes when they select their accommodation through Student.com.

Tea

One volunteer is Dimitris Boufidis, a 19-year-old from Greece studying biomedical engineering at the University of Sheffield.

He said: “I liked the idea that you can interact with older people because I miss my grandparents.

“I can feel like I’m doing here what I’d like people in my city to do for my grandparents.”

Dimitris went to the tea party and chatted to residents including Brenda Marsh, a 93-year-old living with dementia.

She said: “I like to mix. It’s the only thing that keeps me going.”

Kathryn Rawling, SheffCare’s volunteer co-ordinator, said: “The residents are interested in young people and the students get to be part of the city.”

Dan Baker, general manager at Student. com, added: “If you give students the chance to integrate into the local community, they will.There’s a huge opportunity to change the perception around these buildings and big groups of students.”

Alf enjoys a gift yesterday with cheers from Leeann, left, and Lesley. Inset, Auriel serves up festive meals

himself. He said: “It’s a wonderful idea and a wonderful Daily Express crusade to help the lonely.” Alf was helped by care assistants Leeann Duffy and Lesley Maughan while Auriel Walker served dinners. Jane Ashcroft of Anchor Hanover, said: “Loneliness is one of the most pressing issues facing older people and can have a serious impact on overall health and quality of life. When countless families will be enjoying quality time together, hundreds of thousands of older people face spending the day alone.”

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