Prince’s Trust youngsters host week of activities with SARH customers at Marston Court and Hopton Court

A team of young Prince’s Trust volunteers has led a week of activities with older people in Stafford.

Eight volunteers from Prince’s Trust Team 290 spent a week with residents at Hopton Court and Marston Court Independent Living Schemes run by Stafford and Rural Homes as part of their 12-week Team Challenge project.

Throughout the week the youngsters, aged between 16 and 25, organised a coffee morning, film screening and arts and crafts day as well as helping customers with odd jobs around the schemes.

“I’d like to thank all the volunteers for running such a busy week of activities.  Apart from being a lot of fun the project has also helped to build stronger relations between young people and our older customers which is really important,” said Maggie Francis, Scheme Manager for Hopton Court and Marston Court.

The team also helped residents to plant bedding and pot plants and lay new paving to keep their gardens looking colourful and tidy.

“All of the young people have worked really hard and been so helpful and polite it’s been a pleasure to have them here,” said Sandra Bottrell, 70, a resident from Hopton Court.

Last year another team of Prince’s Trust volunteers also helped to revamp the garden at Marston Court.

“This latest project at Hopton Court and Marston Court has helped our volunteers to achieve their team award and I’d like to thank all the staff and customers at SARH for allowing us to come and spend the week with them,” said Shev Lambert, Prince’s Trust Team Leader in Stafford.

“In recent years we have developed a really strong partnership with SARH and I hope we can build on this success with further projects together in the future.”