During this period of lockdown, some of our students have become pen pals with local care home residents.
Whilst face to face lessons and work placements are on hold, our Work Experience Co-ordinator, Vikki Moran has found a way for our students to engage with the local community.
Vikki has been collating letters, poems, stories, drawings and photos from students as well as staff to create a weekly newsletter entitled ‘Carmel Gifts’. A number of care homes in St Helens and Prescot have received this which has really cheered the residents up during this difficult time.
Students and residents have also become pen pals by having weekly email exchanges. Project Co-ordinator, Vikki commented : “The students loved the idea of a weekly email exchange and have shared everything from pdfs of their favourite books, to Spotify playlists and photos of the area.
“College staff have been getting involved too, sending pictures of their children and pets and it has been so lovely to see the replies coming back from care home residents.”
Hayley Rowson de Vares, Residential Manager, Sherdley Court, said: “This is such an important project and it is really brightening everyone’s Fridays. Encouraging communication between the generations brings something special for both young and older people and it’s fantastic to see this continuing despite the current physical restrictions.”