The High Sheriff of Cambridgeshire came to Huntingdon to witness young people befriending elderly residents in one of the town’s care homes.
Seventeen-year-olds Ben Gilbert and Edward Hampson are among a group of sixth-formers from Hinchingbrooke School trained and supported by the East Anglian charity YOPEY to befriend residents at Ferrars Hall Care Home.
When the boys arrived at the care home in Ferrars Road for their regular visit, they were surprised to be greeted by the High Sheriff of Cambridgeshire as well as YOPEY’s founder. Not only that but Ferrars Hall staff had laid on a high tea for them to share with residents and the High Sheriff.
The High Sheriff, the Right Hon Frances Stanley, said: “I was hugely impressed by the outstanding work being done at Ferrars Hall. It was a real pleasure to present High Sheriff Awards to Ben and Edward in recognition of their remarkable contribution. The staff were brilliant — compassionate, committed, and truly inspiring.
“The room lit up when the YOPEY Befrienders arrived.”
YOPEY Befrienders is the name YOPEY gives its young volunteers. It runs many partnerships between schools and care homes across the East of England, including several owned by Country Court, the company that owns Ferrars Hall.
Adults present praised the teenagers for making a difference to the elderly residents, some of whom do not have visitors and many of whom have dementia.
YOPEY Founder Tony Gearing MBE, whose Newmarket charity has trained Hinchingbrooke sixth-formers for three years to be YOPEY Befrienders, said: “Edward and Ben are great examples of teenagers giving a little of their time to a generation older than their grandparents.”
The afternoon was hosted by Ferrars Hall staff, including Wellbeing Lead Pat Edwards, who is retiring this month after a nearly 50-year career in care, the last seven years of which she has been at Ferrars Hall.
She said about the YOPEY Befrienders from Hinchingbrooke sixth form who have been visiting Ferrars Hall residents for two years: “They certainly brighten up the day for the residents. The elderly love being connected with the outside world through the young people.”
Pat added that the YOPEY Befrienders “interact really well” with the residents, despite the considerable age difference..
Ninety-three-year-old resident Jean Ricketts confirmed this over tea and cake. “It’s lovely meeting the young people,” she said, turning to the boys and adding: “Thank you for coming to speak to me.”
Ben, who is studying for A-levels in maths, further maths, physics and history, said: “We like visiting and hearing the residents’ stories.”
Edward, whose A-levels are in English literature, geography and politics, added: “Sometimes you can tell the stories are affected by Alzheimer’s, but you can still understand them.”
The High Sheriff presented each boy with a personalised, framed certificate that recognised their “outstanding service as a positive role model for young people in the community through your dedication and commitment to the YOPEY Befriender Partnership”.
Ferrars Hall Manager Susan Dunnell said: “The students form genuine connections with our residents, many of whom are living with dementia. Their visits clearly lift people’s spirits and contribute positively to overall wellbeing. It’s also a valuable chance for the students to gain insight into dementia and see what day-to-day life is like in a care home. We hope this experience encourages some of them to consider a future career in care.”