Caring Sheffield pupils honoured for care home performance

Youngsters who kept older people entertained as part of a campaign to tackle loneliness have been honoured for their kindness.

Pupils from Windmill Hill School in Chapeltown have become NHS Community Friends for their contribution to supporting older people’s health and wellbeing over the winter.

The school’s governors nominated them to receive certificates for the scheme, which is run by NHS Sheffield Clinical Commissioning Group, after they visited local care home John Trickett House to sing.

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Dr Zak McMurray, GP and medical director at the group, said: “I am delighted that Sheffield schools are recognising the importance of supporting older and more vulnerable members of our community and helping pupils to understand this from a young age.

“The Community Friends scheme was set up for just this purpose.

“The school and pupils shouldn’t under-estimate the impact visiting the home and singing for the residents will have had on ensuring positive mental health.

“In winter we see too many older people in hospital for falls and exacerbated respiratory conditions.

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“If everyone did their bit to help vulnerable people stay well, both physically and mentally, in their homes, we would be able to protect a great many of them from worsening health.

Katy Davison, chair of governors at Windmill Hill School, took one group of pupils to the care home.

She said: “They performed wonderfully. I’ve also spoken to them in assembly about community friends and the importance of good mental health and they responded with sensitivity and enthusiasm. I have never been prouder to be a governor at Windmill and I’m confident being involved in Community Friends will only strengthen the consideration and respect our pupils give older people.”