Caring young people have time for elderly

Published: 05:36, 18 August 2018

NCS members Mackenzie Jacques, 15, and Georgia Furmidge, 16, centre, present a digital clock to Friary Fields director Mrs Bindu Ramchurn, centre left, and senior carer Miss Juliet Barrion, watched by NCS members. 080818DD5-2

Ten young people made digital clocks to help people with dementia at four care homes.

The group of 15 to 17 year-olds completed the project as part of the National Citizen Service (NCS) programme.

They spent a day with residents at Friary Fields Nursing Home, Newark.

The digital clocks display the time as well as saying if it is morning, afternoon or evening, and what day it is.

One of the group, Alvaro Escolano-Ortiz, 16, said: "We have provided a clock for four care homes around the area.

"All the residents are appreciative. We do not just present them with the clocks and then leave, we are spending time with the residents too.

"We are making it an event for the residents and building relationships with them."

During the visit, the young people spoke to the residents and played games of bingo.

Another NCS member, Charlotte Savill, 16, said: "Dementia is an ever-growing problem that affects a lot of people, including some of our older relatives.

"The digital clocks will help to stop confusion that might happen with a normal clock."

The group, Trent Side Story, dubbed their work Telling Time Together.

Each digital clock has a small plaque that states the name of the care home and the NCS group.

The teenagers also completed fundraising during their four-week programme, with proceeds going to Dementia UK.

One of the residents, Mr Sidney Priestley, 65, said: "I am enjoying today. I think the clocks will help us."

Staff at the care home were appreciative of the work that the NCS group had done.

Care home director Mrs Bindu Ramchurn said: "The whole day has benefited the residents. Many of them have dementia and do not get the chance to go out much, so it has allowed them to interact with the youngsters.

"They have enjoyed it and the clocks will help. Thank you to the group."

The NCS is a personal and social development programme, started by the government to allow youngsters to develop skills for both work and life.

Amy Wadsworth, project co-ordinator for Future Foundations, which delivers the NCS programme locally, said: "The four-week experience allows them to meet new people and develop new skills."

Newark Lucy Millard