Youth from Campbellford High School visited Burnbrae Gardens.
Event co-ordinator brings high school students to Burnbrae Gardens
Youth volunteer program a hit
Friday March 28, 2008 -- Camille Jensen
Residents at Burnbrae Gardens can’t stop talking about the day they spent with students from a local high school.

Starting at 10 a.m. on March 15, residents played sports, made crafts and had lunch with the youth from Campbellford High School who came to the home as a complement to their gerontology course.

The day had an Easter theme and included decorating cookies, cake and making centerpieces to be used for the home’s Easter dinner. The food and crafts were donated by community sponsors and Sharp’s IGA.

The first time event was a planned project put on by graduate student Susan Robinson. Robinson is taking Conference and Event Management at Fleming College and wanted her final term project to reflect the needs of her local community.

Local high school students visited Burnbrae Gardens

Believing both residents and youth would benefit from getting to know each other, Robinson created a program that gives students volunteer hours by spending time at a long-term care home.

Youth in high school need to complete 40 hours of volunteer experience before graduating and Robinson felt the youth could gain practical experience by spending time in a home.

“Learning about things in text books is quite a different experience from learning a life lesson,” says Robinson.

For the youth, she says the day gave them a new awareness about residents in long-term care and taught them to be more patient.

The event also reminded residents that they have knowledge and experience to share with students says Robinson, who adds many of the residents at the home are well traveled.

“And the residents had an amazing time,” says April Faux, life enrichment co-ordinator. Faux says the residents have been talking about the day for some time and are hoping the youth will continue to visit.

Creating links between youth and the elderly is important and Robinson wants the program to continue on an ongoing basis. The project is designed to be able to continue independently, managed between the school and the home.

Pleased with the success of the event, Robinson says this type of programming has many possibilities and could offer students experience in hospitals and other health professions they may be considering.

Robinson plans to create a package of five different types of volunteer opportunities for students, presenting the package to the local school board as a future option.

What are other ways for youth to get involved with residents? Share your stories, contact the newsroom at (800) 294-0051.

If you have feedback on this story, please call the newsroom at (800) 294-0051 or e-mail camille(at)axiomnews.ca.