A group of 13 local secondary children from Five Islands School have been helping residents at Park House as part of their training arrangements for a special sporting weekend.
During their visit to the islands’ care home last Saturday, the youngsters helped residents to plant their outdoor garden as well as taking time to enjoy some tea, cake and a sing song.
The young islanders – aged between 11 and 15 – are about to set off to the mainland on an Active Scilly/Children’s Services weekend where they will be expected to develop teamwork and confidence building skills through a range of outdoor activities not readily available on the islands.
Community Services chairman Cllr Richard McCarthy said: ‘The children’s visit to Park House was a great success. It was a bit of a bonus too for the residents bringing fresh faces and fresh meaning to their day. But the visit also helped the youngsters gain understanding about old age and even dementia. We'd like to continue with things like this because they can be useful in helping break down barriers between young and old,' he added.
In the summer a number of Scilly's under 5s enjoyed a Tea Party in the Park with Park House residents.
Meanwhile the 11 to 15 year olds' weekend away will take place from September 25th to the 28th and include a gruelling so-called Tuff Nutt team race around St Buryan. The youngsters have also undertaken to try everything from raft building and surfing to the Eden Project's three storey free fall.
