I visited Janet today. Unfortunately, she wasn't feeling well with a sore throat. So, I read her some poems. I'm looking forward to visiting her again next week – Mark, age 18, who has been visiting Janet weekly in a #Huntingdon #carehome for over a year.

Photo of Mark and Janet

YOPEY Befriender finds elderly want physical connection as well as conversation

'I talked to Cliff about his job as a shepherd. I also spoke to Jean and Bob. Bob shook hands with me and Jean held my hand' –young #volunteer in #Cambridgeshire

#intergenerational #caregiving

THIS IS SOPHIE

The 16-year-old is one of our first YOPEY Befrienders in a wheelchair. She certainly gets around. On a recent visit to Lyncroft care home in #Wisbech #Cambridgeshire the teenager talked to a dozen different residents as well as joining in a singalong.

VISITING ELDERLY FRIEND

I went to visit Jean, my #carehome friend. I also spoke to Cliff and Bob about their lives and school. At the end of my visit, Bob shook my hand and I said goodbye to Jean.

Photo from YOPEY's collection

END DRAWS NEAR

I visit Marjorie for the first time in ages. Her health is declining & she didn’t recognise me. I tried to show her pictures in my phone, and talk about my holidays, but nothing worked. So I just listen to her & give her a smile.

Photo not of people mentioned

Mark has been visiting Janet, a resident in a #Huntingdon #carehome ,weekly for 16 months.

The 90-plus-year-old told the teenage she missed doing things at Easter.

Mark organised her a mini Easter chick hunt in her room.

The smile is not huge, but it is there.

Many of the residents were having a pamper day so I got to speak with a few of them. One of the residents asked me and my friend if there was any school gossip which we found funny.

Country Court

Photo from YOPEY's collection

Three of us play dominos with Rex, who has limited speech (probably because his #dementia is advanced). So we communicate by smiling. He smiles, we smile. After we finish our game we leave him happy and return to St Joseph's College.

Photo of young man, who wrote this post

I helped set up carpet bowls for my friend Joan and other residents. When Joan noticed the photographer, she started making sure her hair looked good for the camera. This made us both smile.

#intergenerational #befriending .

Hinchingbrooke Sixth Form
Country Court

YOPEY Befrienders from #Hinchingbrooke 6th form join in activities at #FerrarsHall #carehome in #Huntingdon .

Enjoy the smiles from our #young #volunteers and #elderly #residents that result from our #intergenerational #community #partnerships .

Hinchingbrooke Sixth Form
Country Court

YOPEY Befrienders from #Hinchingbrooke 6th form join in activities at #FerrarsHall #carehome in #Huntingdon .

Enjoy the smiles from our #young #volunteers and #elderly #residents that result from our #intergenerational #community #partnerships .

Hinchingbrooke Sixth Form
Country Court

YOPEY Befrienders from #Hinchingbrooke 6th form join in activities at #FerrarsHall #carehome in #Huntingdon .

Enjoy the smiles from our #young #volunteers and #elderly #residents that result from our #intergenerational #community #partnerships .

Hinchingbrooke Sixth Form
Country Court

HELPING WITH MOTOR SKILLS

We played with Lego as the carers said it helps with the residents' motor skills. I helped Janet with placing the Lego bricks as her hand was shaking and she was finding it difficult to click the bricks together.

Photo from YOPEY's collection

DEMENTIA REVELATION

I showed one resident a picture of my cat and they told me about theirs called Beatrice. I thought it was really interesting because it showed how they can still remember details from their life.

#Young & #old in #intergenerational #befriending #partnership

RECOGNISED BY RESIDENT WITH #DEMENTIA (after visiting for 4 months)

I saw the resident, who I normally talk to. I felt she recognised me as she came and hugged me. It made my day better.

#Young #old in #intergenerational #befriending

Photo from YOPEY's collection

YOPEY Befrienders from #Hinchingbrooke 6th form join in activities at #FerrarsHall #carehome in #Huntingdon .

Enjoy the smiles from our #young #volunteers and #elderly #residents that result from our #intergenerational #community #partnerships .

Hinchingbrooke Sixth Form
Country Court

BUILDING FRIENDSHIP

On this visit I played with #Lego . The carers mentioned that Lego helps with the residents' motor skills.

#Young & #old in #intergenerational #befriending #partnership

Photo from YOPEY's collection

ANOTHER EASTER CONTRIBUTION

I decorated and painted old wine bottles using acrylic paints, for them to be made into colourful, vintage #Easter lamps.

#young & #old in #intergenerational #befriending #partnership

Photos from YOPEY's collection

I came to the #carehome and visited Roz again. When I got there she was playing bingo with pictures. I helped her by marking the pictures. After bingo we talked. Roz told me how lovely everyone was.

#intergenerational #befriending

Photo from YOPEY's collection

CRAFTS & CHATTER

I did #Easter colouring with a group of residents as well as talking to Anne about how she’s getting on.

#young and #old #friends
#intergenerational #beaconforbefriending

Photo from YOPEY's collection