GHA Press

GHA’s elderly residents were entertained by school students and presented with a brand new Nintendo Wii as part of a three-day community project.

The 29 residents at Crosshill Sheltered Housing Complex, who are aged between 65 and 90 years old, took part in a quiz, were presented with a brand new Nintendo Wii and given lessons on how to play the bowling and tennis computer games. A jazz tea dance – with music performed by some of the students themselves – was organised for the second day and 19 of the residents will enjoy a day trip to Troon tomorrow.

The project, which ran over three separate days was organised by seven students - three from Hutchesons’ Grammar and four from Holyrood Secondary - as part of the Mark Scott Leadership for Life Award.

Mr William Bicket is a resident at Crosshill Sheltered Housing Complex and was delighted to meet the students. He said: “The pupils were most welcome and the band and was very nice. It was good of the pupils to give up their time for us.”

Resident Mrs Rose Mc Fadden added: “The whole experience was very good and enjoyable – especially the entertainment.”

Mrs Ellen Corr agreed: “The entertainment was very enjoyable and we all appreciate the Nintendo Wii which is good fun.”

The students met the residents beforehand to discuss the activities they would most like to do. They managed to raise around £1000 to help fund the three-day event by holding a raffle, a non-uniform day at Hutchesons’ Grammar and a disco for students at Holyrood Secondary School.

Margaret Brittain, Community Housing Manager at Orchard Grove HA Local Housing Organisation (LHO), which manages the Crosshill Sheltered Housing Complex on behalf of GHA, said: “We’re always keen to support projects like this as it’s a real benefit for our residents to meet young people, learn new skills and, importantly, to have a change of scenery. Our residents are really proactive and relish new challenges and we’re sure that the two generations can learn a lot from one another and also enjoy each other’s company.”

Student Mary Dougherty, 17, from Holyrood Secondary, said: “The Award is a great opportunity to combine outward bound activities and leadership skills and to be given the chance to implement them in a totally different environment. Young people are often portrayed in a bad light and we jumped at the chance to show that we’re not all the same. We looked at the various skills and talents amongst the group and decided to focus on elderly people, by spending time with them and giving them the opportunity to participate in activities which they would not normally have. In this way the residents in Orchard Grove benefit and we the young people grow into more confident and self assured adults."