Elderly receive letters from Huddersfield Giants NCS students

POEMS, letters and homemade puzzle books have been sent to Huddersfield care home residents by Huddersfield Giants NCS caring students.

The packages have been arriving at both Aden Mount and Aden Court Care Homes, on Perseverance Street, Primrose Hill, and Birkhouse Lane, Moldgreen, respectively.

Students participating in the Huddersfield Giants Community Trust National Citizen Service (NCS) decided to send letters as they are currently unable to visit the homes.

The 15-to-17-year-olds wanted to write to residents to tell them about what they have been doing during the nationwide lockdown and ask how they have spent the past few months.

One student, 16-year-old Ellie wrote: “During quarantine I have learnt to knit and embroider.

“I started my quarantine very busy with college work but having five younger siblings in the house meant finding moments of peace is like finding a needle in a haystack. If you had a similar household to me how did you deal with the noise or were you the noisy one?”

Another student, 16-year-old Rowina wrote: “I know how hard it is during quarantine, as it has been a hard time for everyone.

“However, during this time, I tried to keep myself busy, like doing some crochet, and have finished a scarf last week, which gave me positive energy during the lockdown.

“I would like to know what did you do during quarantine? Did you have fun like I did?”

Several students also penned a joint letter to carers at Aden Mount Care Home, on Perseverance Street, Primrose Hill.

Callum, Lucy, Nathan and Ellie all wrote: “I am writing this letter to thank you and congratulate you on your service to the community during these uncertain times.

“I know it might feel like your efforts haven’t been acknowledge as much as they should’ve but, at the NCS, we are extremely grateful to have people like you in the community. Thank you for everything you do.”

The poems and homemade puzzle books were also sent by students to show their appreciation and support for those living and working at the home.

A month earlier, the students also hosted a virtual, music bingo session for both care homes, with residents tuning in on their tablet computers to take part.

Susan Duggle, 65, and Helen Amster, 99, were among those to take part and have also been writing letters back to the students.

Susan said: “It was nice to see the students on the computer. They were very good.”

Helen added: “I’ve never played musical bingo before. It as really good and I enjoyed it.”

Maria Mcfee, activities coordinator at Aden Mount Care Home, said: “The students have been very thoughtful and kind writing to our residents, sending poems, puzzle books and musical bingo sheets.

“Our residents have thoroughly enjoyed reading the letters and playing the games. And now they are writing lovely replies back to them.

“Hopefully it will spark a few pen pal friendships and we’ll be able to invite the students to the home at some point for the pen pals to meet face-to-face one day.

“Everyone at Aden Mount and Aden Lodge care homes would just like to add a big thank you to the Huddersfield Giants Community Trust for choosing our homes for the NCS programme. We look forward to continuing to support the scheme in the months and years to come.”