Residents and Students Enjoy Wednesday Morning Coffee Catch Ups at Mercy Place Mont Clare

Coffee, companionship and good manicures are central to Wednesday mornings at a Claremont-based not-for-profit residential aged care home thanks to a new partnership with Mercedes College girls’ school.

Residents at Mercy Place Mont Clare have been striking up friendships with Year 10 students, who visit the home every Wednesday to chat, serve cappuccinos and pamper residents - all of which is aimed at encouraging companionship and connections between the young and the old.

Mercy Health General Manager, Jo Forrest, said the benefits of the partnership extended both ways, with the students and residents genuinely enjoying their time together and forming strong bonds.

“We’re delighted by how well our intergenerational partnership with Mercedes College has been received, by both the residents and our seniors,” she said.  

“Because the girls are visiting our residents weekly as part of their community service program, they are gaining genuine opportunities to build positive relationships and really get to know them.

“And the partnership is also a way for young people to learn from and respect the elderly in the wider community; they’ve certainly loved spending time with residents and many of them share the same interests, particularly playing music and chess, as well as drinking cappuccinos.”

Find out more about Mercy Health.