Student Misses Residents at BlueCross Aged Care Home

William, a Year 10 student at St Kevin’s College, has been visiting BlueCross The Gables as part of the school’s community volunteering project. Along with a few other students, William visits The Gables once a week to spend time with the residents.

From group activities to chats, games, singing, playing musical instruments and footy tipping, there are lots of fun activities to keep the two generations engaged.

William thoroughly enjoyed his time volunteering at The Gables until the coronavirus pandemic put a pause to the project. Despite not being able to visit, William is still keen to stay in touch and recently wrote a letter to the residents.

“I am saddened at the fact that I can no longer visit every Wednesday afternoon,” he wrote. “I am curious as to what everyone is doing to occupy their time, possibly we could exchange activities.”

His heartfelt letter certainly brought a smile to the residents, and one of them, Lita, wrote back.

“I am writing to tell you how much I appreciated your letter. When I read it, it gave me such a warm feeling to know that a young person has thought about old people at this time,” Lita wrote.

“I am sorry that you are finding isolation so hard, with all that energy building up. Maybe you could use this time to expand your knowledge and concentrate on a special topic that really interests you.

“Please don’t worry about us. We old folks are mostly tough old birds who know from experience that brighter days are ahead!”

William is just one of the many students from St Kevin’s College who have struck up a lovely friendship with the residents since the community volunteering project began.

“Our residents enjoy having the students around and seem energised by their visits,” said Jaice Matthew, Residence Manager at BlueCross The Gables. “Similarly, the visits are giving the students a sense of purpose and helping them to bridge the generational gap.”

With declining cases of coronavirus in the community, BlueCross hopes to welcome William and other students back to the home soon.

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