Students from Ramsey Grammar School have completed training to help elderly people in their community.
A total of 22 pupils were presented certificates after completing their basic awareness training, as part of the Northern Live at Home Scheme - a charity that supports the island’s ’older generation by relieving social isolation and loneliness’.
The training included effective communication, data protection, confidentiality, health and safety, risk assessment, boundaries, bereavement awareness and vulnerable adult training.
These students are soon to exercise their new skills, while visiting elderly members of the scheme.
Manager of the Northern Live at Home scheme Kerry Palmer said: ’Now the students have completed their training they will be matched up with members after the Easter holidays.’
Kerry added: ’The "inter-generational" scheme is a great opportunity for young people to get involved with volunteering and at the same time, become aware of the needs of our elderly population.
’It also gives students some insight into how life was very different 40, 50 and 60 years ago, by listening to some of the stories from our members and how our society is very different now to when they were teenagers.
’It is great to see our older members engaging with these students and see a friendship develop.
’It is especially touching to hear that some students who carry on either in education, go off to university or into full time employment still continue to call in on our members and keep the relationship going.
’Students who sign up to the scheme can obtain a better understanding of the needs of the elderly in their community. They have an opportunity to give up some of their free time to make a difference in somebody else’s life.’
It offers services to help elderly people to live independently by running social groups, clubs and befriending activities with transport provided.
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