Dozens of Ballakermeen sixth form students have recently graduated from a demanding 12 week programme that will see them visiting the elderly throughout the community.

Assistant Head Teacher, Mark Redmayne said, ‘We are extremely proud of our students who have chosen to give up their time to go out into the community and spend time sitting and chatting with the older generation. Many older people find themselves alone at home for a variety of reasons and it makes such a difference to receive regular visits from one of the Live at Home Scheme Volunteers – it’s simply a lifeline for many people. Our students have worked very hard for several weeks and now they can’t wait to just get out there. Well done to them all!’

There are 78 Live at Home Schemes across the UK with six schemes across the Isle of Man. The Douglas scheme has been running since 2012 and is managed by Jan Farrell – offering befriending and a twice a month lunch group amongst a range of other activities . Each scheme has a number of events for their members to take part in, including lunch clubs, bingo, weekly/monthly trips to restaurants, pubs (transport is provided) and other social meetings.

Collectively the six schemes have over 600 members and 400 volunteers who give their time in a variety of ways, from befriending to administration to fundraising, hosting and driving members who need transport to and from events.

One of the ways the scheme helps older people to socialise is through the Reminiscence Groups where items of nostalgia are introduced to spark conversation.

‘It’s great to get Ballakermeen on board and this is one of the biggest groups of volunteers we have ever trained. They will really benefit so many people who either don’t have family to visit them or may have just lost the art of generally having a conversation,’ said Jan Farrell.

This is the Manx-registered charity’s fifth year of its highly successful Inter-generational scheme involving Year 12 students from secondary schools around the Island becoming volunteers and interacting with scheme members as part of their external activities programme.

To learn more about the Isle of Man Live at Home Schemes contact their Douglas office on 627778 or 342602.

You can also visit https://www.facebook.com/IsleOfManLiveAtHomeScheme/ or http://www.douglas.liveathome@mha.org.uk 

Photo - BHS students with Jan Farrell and Mark Redmayne.