Running for its 22nd year, Student Volunteering Week will take place between 13th – 19th February and aims to celebrate the impact of student volunteers and encourage students to engage in civic life. To support the cause, a group of students from Fettes College have planned a visit to the Queens Manor Care Home, in Ferry Road Edinburgh, which is somewhere they volunteer on a regular basis.
Fortnightly throughout the year, as part of a larger service programme, Fettes students have been helping out at the Queens Manor Care Home. They also have the opportunity to complete five consecutive days at the care home to honour their Duke of Edinburgh Gold residential commitment.
Operated by Rhys Rowlands, Director of Service at Fettes College, Fettes works closely with the Queens Manor Care Home to provide a variety of volunteer support. This support takes many forms: the students build friendships with the residents, do gardening, help with simple building maintenance, and other activities like assisting the residents with some light exercise and musical activities such as singing.
Queens Manor Resident Elizabeth Farquharson, aged 107, said:
“I enjoy when the children come to see us all – they are very polite and easy to talk to. It is lovely to chat to them and hear what the next generation are up to… the way of life is completely different to what it was like when I was their age.”
Shannon Cullen, Senior Head of Lifestyle & Enrichment at Queens Manor Care Home, added:
“We are very grateful to have the continually growing relationship with the faculty and students at Fettes College. For 2 years now we have been working alongside everyone at Fettes to enhance and offer intergenerational activities & links for the residents at Queens Manor, as well as assist with their Duke of Edinburgh goals. Not only do the staff and visitors enjoy when the Fettes College minibus pops along to the care home, but the residents love it and look forward to it when they see planned events involving the students on the schedule.”
Fettes also encourages their students who aspire to pursue a career in medicine to volunteer at the care home, as it gives them the opportunity to gain experience by shadowing staff members while they work.
Rhys Rowlands, Director of Service at Fettes College, said:
“Our work with Queens Manor Care Home has been a rewarding experience for both the Fettes students and the residents alike. Last year, we were honoured to welcome two residents, aged 104 and 107, to join us for our Remembrance Day service; the end of the year also finished on a high with our Fettes students performing Christmas carols to the residents, which everyone enjoyed immensely.”
Fettes’ commitment to the Queens Manor Care Home will continue in the future. In March this year, the Fettes Outdoor Pursuits Team will be volunteering to put on the Care Home’s Staff Team Building Training Day; and following the success of last year, Fettes are planning another two Service Day events with 30-40 students volunteering at the care home on both of these days.
Categories: Fettes College School News
