One of several youth led projects being run at local residential home Chalkmead, Merstham, which is being funded by Youth Opportunity fund. Kelsey Hutchinson (vinvolved volunteer) came up with the idea of setting up several projects in her local nursing home. The reason being Kesley said “ I do not feel as though many elderly people in Merstham’s residential area have the opportunities and chances to enjoy their lives at such an important time. Also, many of the people living in the area are not given the opportunity to socialise with others, especially the elderly and the young. This is vital so that they can talk to each other about their problems, and share their experiences. Also, many elderly people around do not have the money to do things such as days out to the beach, and are not given funding by the government and councilors to do so.”

The first activity at Chalkmead was a ‘Jazz tea party’ organized by a group of students from St bedes school, led by Paige Skinner, for the residents. A musical evening, using a local youth Jazz Band called ‘Tonic Water’ played classic jazz style songs, created a cool & sophisticated party atmosphere. Six other young volunteers dressed up in fancy party outfits, chatting and dancing with the residents and making it a most entertaining and exciting evening.

Jacqueline Medrow, from Chalkmead said of the event; “the Jazz party was great, the band members were very professional and extremely good on their instruments and they really looked the part, a proper James Bond suave look. The rest were appropriately dressed which was nice because so many young ones think fashion is the overriding factor which is not the case for our clients. The band played and chatted between songs and the others mingled with the residents and not in clumps but individually which was also very nice”.

Chalkmead would like more young people to run activities for them, if you fancy doing this please contact martine at Surrey vinvolved. martine.sheppard@ymcaredhill.com