Pupils offer elderly a helping hand with IT

Pupils studying at Wolgarston High School, Penkridge, visited Care Plus sites in Brewood, Coven and Wheaton Aston to show residents how to use tablets and computers.

A group of students also passed on their IT skills to residents of Pencric, in Penkridge, providing drop-in advice to help people use laptops, mobile phones and tablets.

Pencric manager, Nicola Smith, said the pupils worked help residents not just to learn how to use IT better for leisure but also to improve their lives.

She said: “They sat patiently with the residents, helping them to overcome problems and get more out of IT.

“One lady was thrilled to be able to place her first order for online groceries.

"She’s following a special diet and said that it was so much easier to find the right food once she knew how to shop online.”

All in all, pupils spent a day on projects with Care Plus, including running IT drop-in advice sessions, sprucing-up communal gardens and hosting afternoon tea.

Six teenagers visited Care Plus communities in Coven, Wheaton Aston and Brewood, where they got busy helping residents brighten communal gardens with planted containers and baskets. Meanwhile other pupils were putting the finishing touches to an afternoon tea held at the school.

They provided transport for the residents, who enjoyed refreshments prepared and served by the young people, followed by a lively game of bingo.

Yvette Tompkins, volunteer fundraising and engagement manager with Care Plus, said: “Everyone said how much they had enjoyed meeting the young people and how hard they had worked.

“The whole day was a great inter-generational experience.

"The pupils were a fantastic credit to their school which is taking a lead for community activities and volunteering in the area.”

Chris Curtis, assistant head at Wolgarston High School, said: “Every student at Wolgarston has the chance to volunteer in their communities and to help improve the lives of others.

"The Pencric and Care Home Projects are fantastic opportunities for young and old to share time together and we will be continuing our links with these invaluable projects for the foreseeable future."