Friendships are being formed across the generations thanks to a new initiative pairing residents from a Fulbourn care home with local teenagers.
The YOPEY, or Youth Opportunities and Positive Experiences, has been launched at Cambridge Grove Care Home on Cambridge Road to bring the generations together and benefit everyone.
The home has been linked with students from Oakes College and Hills Road Sixth Form.
The teenagers, who are aged between 16 and 17-years-old, visit the care home to spend time with residents either one-on-one or taking part in activities.
The aim is that they spend every session with the same resident to build up a rapport.
Resident Mary Simpson, aged 84, said: “It’s been very refreshing to see so many lovely young people at Cambridge Grove.
“We all get a chance to share our experiences, and everyone is learning something new. They certainly bring new perspectives into the home!”
The YOPEY initiative means young people are taught how to relate to people living with dementia and how to establish intergenerational friendships. The aim is that each young person visits residents for an hour a week for up to a year.
Tony Gearing MBE, YOPEY Founder & Chief Executive, was made an MBE ‘for services to Young People in the UK’ in 2017.
Student Vanessa, aged 16, spoke to Cambridge Grove resident and former 999 operator Pamela Walsh, aged 91. Vanessa said: “We spoke about a lot of things, her family and even politics.”
Cambridge Grove Home Ambassador Amy Milburn said: “It is very important that we can communicate across the generations, as we all have so much we can give to one another.
“We are in the very early stages of this initiative, and so far, we have been very impressed with how organised it is and how lovely our young visitors are.
“We are looking forward to seeing strong friendships develop over time and continue to welcome these students into our home.
“It’s an extraordinary initiative.”
