A partnership between Hartford Care and social integration charity The Challenge will see 70 young people volunteering and visiting older residents at Hartford Care care homes in Berkshire in July and August.
The 15-17-year-olds are taking part in National Citizen Service (NCS) - a three-week programme that offers them the opportunity to get involved in physical, creative and social activities, such as rock climbing, meeting new people and volunteering in the community.
During the visits to Burnham Lodge in Burnham and Boulters Lock in Maidenhead, the young people will spend time getting to know the residents and helping out around the care homes, throughout the summer months.
Heidi Msipa, The Challenge’s NCS relationship manager for Bucks and Berks, says: “Our aim is to create a more integrated society by bringing different people together. We hope that by spending meaningful time together through the visits to the care homes this summer, both the young people and older residents will enjoy learning more about each other and build their confidence in mixing with people from different generations.”
Throughout the visits the young people will also unite to create and run an action day designed to make a positive impact in the community. To help them prepare for this, the young people will be fundraising for Hartford Care’s chosen charity, The Care Workers Charity.
Sean Gavin, CEO of Hartford Care, says: "We are delighted to welcome the NCS team to Burnham Lodge for the very first time and our residents at Boulters Lock will be chuffed to see the group for the second year!
"We are proud to provide care, comfort and companionship to our residents to make a positive difference. At Hartford Care we think the NCS service is a positive way to share experiences and fun between older and younger generations and we look forward to enjoying the exciting events planned!"
