An outstanding program at Eden Marine High School that bridges the gap between young and old has again been formally recognised.
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A group of Year 9 and 10 students were named the Volunteer Team of the Year at the South Coast/Southern Inland Region Volunteer of the Year Awards which were presented in Cooma last week.
The group of around 25 students volunteer at the Bupa Aged Care Facility in Eden every Thursday afternoon.
While there they spend time with the residents enjoying a variety of activities including taking wheelchair bound residents for a walk to the beach, playing yahtzee and bingo, chatting and art.
“Our students are always willing to help out our lifestyle team too, from cleaning out our chicken coop to helping with admin work. They are all such a great group of children and we feel very lucky to have them here each week,” Bupa activities coordinator Julie Abbey said.
The program, which has been going for a number of years, has been a hit with the students and residents, with a number of students then going on to consider a career in aged care.
Makenzie Upton is one such student who has recently taken on a School Based Traineeship with Bupa.
Makenzie said she had never considered working in aged care before she joined the program last year but now can’t wait to start her apprenticeship.
“I love coming her each week, it’s been great getting to know the residents and hearing their stories and seeing them laugh,” the 16-year-old said.
I love coming her each week, it’s been great getting to know the residents and hearing their stories and seeing them laugh.
- Makenzie Upton
Eden Marine High School career advisor Michelle Bond said they were really happy for the kids for getting the recognition they deserve.
“They don’t have to come here each week, all of them choose to do it, and they all really love seeing the residents laugh,” Ms Bond said.
The initiative was instigated by Ms Bond in 2014 and has become a popular part of Eden Marine High School life.
Other teachers Dave Faulkner and Brandan Cookson are also regulars at Bupa and can be seen playing fierce games of scrabble with residents each week.
All regional winners are in the running for the overall NSW Volunteer of the Year Awards, which will be in December.