Borough Care recently welcomed young people taking part in a National Citizen Service – NCS – project to its Lisburne Court home in Offerton. Borough Care, the largest not-for-profit provider of care for older people in Stockport, has linked up with The Challenge, one of the leading providers of the National Citizen Service. NCS is a government-backed programme open to young people between the ages of fifteen and seventeen. The programme helps them develop skills for their working life and the transition into adulthood.
The group of young people met with staff and residents at Lisburne Court to decide what the project should entail. It was decided the outside area where residents sit needed brightening up so the young people came up with a mural design, which was painted onto wood and attached to the building. Circles of wood, from a felled tree, were decorated by residents and the young people working together. These will be hung from tree branches, as a memory of the day.
Commenting on the National Citizen Service project, Donna Allwood, Activity Lifestyle Facilitator at Lisburne Court, says: “The young people did an amazing job. They were very friendly towards our residents and interacted with them brilliantly. Being involved with a National Citizen Service project has been great for our residents, who have loved having the buzz of young people around. There have been benefits for the young people too, as they have got to know more about people from a different generation and really made a difference to their lives. The young volunteers were first introduced to our residents at a tea dance we held at the home, which was a great way for everyone to meet and do something fun together. Young and 
old alike had a great afternoon. On the day they painted the mural and wooden plaques for the trees, it was lovely to see the young people interacting with some of our residents and helping them create some beautiful artwork that everyone at the home will be able to enjoy.”
Shivani Oza, 16, from Bramhall was elected as the project’s Team Director by her fellow National Citizen Service participants. Shivani says: “Doing this project has made me more aware of dementia and what some of the older people are going through. Doing something so worthwhile is great. I’ve enjoyed helping the residents to paint. The mural we’ve all produced features a bee, to represent Greater Manchester as a whole, and forget-me-not flowers, which are associated with dementia. All our artwork will really brighten up the garden for residents.”
Tambir Ahmed, 16, decided to participate in the National Citizen Service programme as he wanted to challenge himself and help out for a good cause. Tambir says: “My confidence has improved, I’ve mixed with different people and made lots of new friends. Working with the older people has been great. It’s been lovely to see the residents getting involved, creating something together and seeing them happy. Being involved in this project, I’ve learnt a lot more about dementia.” Praise Owoeye, 16, thinks she has got lots out of the project. Praise says: “Getting to know people from different generations and seeing a different side of life was a new experience for me. I really enjoyed helping the older people with the painting. Participating in the National Citizen Service scheme has given me more confidence too.”
To raise money for the materials to complete their project, the National Citizen Service participants did a sponsored litter pick around the trail of giant painted frogs in Stockport.
