Students from Rochdale Sixth Form College support the elderly across the borough

Students from Rochdale Sixth Form College supporting the elderly across the borough

As part of the college’s unique Social Development Programme, more than 90 students volunteered at local care homes and offered support to the elderly in the local community.

The students who are all in their second year, aged 17 - 18 were encouraged to engage in a range of activities with local elderly people for at least one hour per week whether it be chatting, listening, reading or even offering IT support and creative skills.

Over 20 local care homes, groups and organisations welcomed this initiative with open arms and enjoyed getting to know the students and hearing about their views and plans for the future.

Nick Vile, Student Performance & Development Leader at Rochdale Sixth Form College said: “I am extremely proud of how the students embraced this programme with genuine enthusiasm and commitment, and I hope all the residents in our community who were involved also felt that it has been beneficial and valuable.

“I would like to thank everyone involved and hope that we can grow the partnership when it starts again in September, with our next cohort of Year 13 students.”

Y13 student Elizabeth said: “I will remember the difference I made to the lives of residents when they just needed someone to listen to them.”

Mark Wynn, Director, Heywood, Middleton & Rochdale Circle (HMR Circle) said: “Here at HMR Circle we really enjoyed working with Rochdale Sixth Form College and our student volunteer placements.

“They really engaged with how we support older people and worked hard especially with helping with the administration of the HMR Circle Volunteer Drivers Service.

“We would definitely look to be involved again in the future and would recommend local organisations and companies to get involved with this programme.”