Positive citizenship promoted by health and social care students to residential home

Health and social care students at Walsall College have successfully organised their very first event for service users at a Walsall residential home.

Day visitors and residents at The Watermill enjoyed taking part in a pub quiz, bingo, a treasure hunt and one-to-one activities designed to support their needs and health conditions.

The Level 3 students are now hoping to deliver similar positive citizenship-led sessions at the residential home in future.

“This is a new partnership for the college and we couldn’t be happier with how this first event has turned out,” said lecturer, Rebecca Cartwright.  “The service users were immediately asking the students when they would be back, which is the highest compliment.

“Being here reinforces just how special and important human interactions are, especially when they make people feel encouraged and appreciated.  It’s been a lovely experience all round.”

Molly Pugh was one of the seven students hosting the session.

“When we saw the service users enjoying themselves, laughing and smiling, we appreciated just how worthwhile it is to be involved in these activities.  I was happy because they were happy.”

Student, Kaileb Rueban-Kantae added: “The service users were all nice and easy to talk to.  They’ve helped us develop our awareness of social care roles, including how to engage with different people and become more confident in doing this.”