As part of Curriculum Enrichment Day in March our Year 10 students explored the issue of loneliness and social isolation experienced by many elderly people in our community. They took great care in participating in a new school initiative linking our young people with local senior citizens.
Students wrote Friendship Letters which have been received by local organisations who support elderly people, including Age UK. Letters were thoughtful and uplifting, giving recipients a glimpse into school life and into the interests, hopes and aspirations of our young people. Many letters contained kind-hearted messages of care and encouragement. Emma Pyper, Senior Charity Operations Manager at Age UK was delighted to receive over 100 of our Friendship letters saying 'We will be giving them to our service users in extra care housing/sheltered accommodation, in the local community, well-being centres and our befriending customers. If you ever have any other initiatives with the school involving older people or any new ideas we would happily partner with you, so please feel free to reach out.' We look forward to developing this relationship with AgeUk in the future. We thank the students who undertook this activity with such care and consideration, and the staff who supported them so positively.