Special intergenerational bonds formed with this Sheffield befriending scheme

Sheffcare volunteer Laura Buck with her baby Arthur and Sheffcare resident Liz

Zoe and Asrai Mayer missed the relationship they had with the older generations of their family when their parents, Rayna and Toby, relocated to Sheffield.

But now, thanks to a new scheme from city care home charity Sheffcare, the sisters are discovering what it means to have somebody from an older generation to talk to.

Kathryn Rawling, Sheffcare volunteer coordinator, said: “Rayna and Toby, who are both volunteers with Sheffcare, felt that the children were missing out by not having a relationship with older people in family life.

“Sheffcare is engaging with schools and playgroups to maximise on the benefits of intergenerational social interaction, but I realised there was more we could do.

“By making our volunteering even more inclusive we can develop intergenerational relationships and we can achieve this by welcoming volunteers to visit with their children.”

The Mayer family have made special friends at a Sheffcare care home, and Zoe and Asrai enjoy their Sheffcare visits.

Rayna said: “For our family, it is not a giving of time, but a gaining of much-needed relationships.

“We don't have family in Sheffield and we are so grateful to Sheffcare for the opportunity to spend time with the residents.”

Another person who has been benefiting from the scheme is Sheffcare volunteer Laura Buck.

She has been with the charity since 2017 and has formed a special bond with resident Liz Calssens.

Since she began volunteering, Laura has become mum to baby Arthur, and now Liz enjoys visits from both mum and and baby.

Laura said “It’s Important to me that Arthur volunteers from a young age as it teaches him good morals.

“If he understands the value of giving back to the people who need it most it will put him in good stead for the rest of his life.”

Sheffcare is a charity which operates a chain of ten care homes across Sheffield and has an active policy of inclusivity for volunteers of all ages and backgrounds.

For more details, call Kathryn on 0114 221 3205.