Waterhead Academy students' community partnership continues to flourish

The range of activities that Waterhead Academy students and residents participate in together include board games, crafting, curling, crocheting and baking

Waterhead Academy students have continued their long-standing community links with residents at the Violet Hill Court retirement accommodation.

The community partnership has blossomed since its onset in October, 2019, and was maintained throughout the pandemic whereby students and residents exchanged letters and poems to maintain the spirits of one another.

Waterhead Academy became one of the first school’s nationally to establish a St John Ambulance NHS Cadet unit during the current academic year.

As part of the Academy’s extensive extra-curricular programme, the cadets visit the residents on a weekly basis to take part and facilitate in a range of enrichment activities with the residents of Violet Hill Court.

The range of activities that students and residents participate in together include board games, crafting, curling, crocheting and baking as well as providing the opportunities for them to share stories, enjoy a cup of tea and a biscuit, and most importantly enjoy a natter!

In addition, the Academy choir perform Christmas carols on annual basis, residents supported students through their ‘knitting for neo-nates’ initiative and together they are looking forward to celebrating the King's Coronation, when students will prepare an afternoon tea celebration for the residents.

Neil Wilson; Assistant Principal for Personal Development, said: "Waterhead Academy places the community at the centre of our ethos, and the partnership that we have developed with the residents of Violet Hill Court is something that we are extremely proud of.

"It is great to see our students undertaking a variety of enrichment activities with the residents and to see people of all generations interacting and spending quality time together.

Violet Hill Court Manager, Joanne Rudd, added: "Both the pupils and the tenants really enjoy the visits, the pupils bring youth into the Court and the tenants can share their wisdom and knowledge.

"It has been lovely to watch the relationships grow between the tenants and the pupils.

"There are lots of giggles from both parties as they share stories, whether it be the tenants telling the pupils of their childhood and the pupils seeing how different times where, to the pupils sharing their experiences now.

"Throughout the pandemic the we received gifts of cards and posters on international Grandparents day, which one of our tenants did a poem to thank the pupils for.

"I know for the tenants at Violet hill Court these interactions have lifted their spirits through these difficult times and put a smile on their faces, knowing they were still being thought about."

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