Year 10 Radford College students Olivia Wang, Isobel Egan and Ashley Cook have embraced their volunteer work. Photo: Oliver Jacques.
Students at Radford College have been recognised for an innovative volunteer program in which they motivate Calvary Aged Care residents to dance and chat while learning from the older generation’s wisdom.
The school was a finalist at suicide prevention charity Lifeline Canberra’s Spirit of Impact awards, which acknowledge organisations using their position in the community to do good.
Year 10 students Olivia Wang, Ashley Cook and Isobel Egan have each completed 20 hours of volunteer work as part of their minimum requirement. But they’ve enjoyed their time at Calvary so much, they’ve kept going.
“We learn as much from them as they learn from us,” Olivia said.
“We just want to be a part of the community and have cross-generational relationships where we find out about their past experiences and get some ideas for our future.
“At our school, every student does volunteer work. We have a bunch of different service programs, two of them are at Calvary Aged Care. We do what’s called Calvary Connections – where you talk to the residents, have meaningful conversations and learn from them and then we also have a program called Calvary Dance.”
Classmate Ashley has been involved in the dance classes for the past two years.
“We run an inclusive class where we teach the residents a new routine each fortnight. Sometimes we even perform one of our own dances for them,” she said.
The Calvary Aged Care residents get moving. Photo: Radford College.
When in Year 9, Ashley joined five other students along with teachers Ms Notley and Ms White to kick off the classes. One of the highlights was teaching residents the full dance routine to hit song You’re the One That I Want from the movie Grease.
“Three of us sat down to teach whilst the other three stood up, so that all the residents could learn and participate, whether they were standing or seated,” Ashley wrote in her school bulletin.
“We used simple movements to make it easier for the residents to catch on, and they all did really quickly. It was so much fun to see them all enjoying the dance and music, especially as this was only their second session. Some of the residents were a bit shaky or shy to start with, but by the end of the hour they were all smiling and having a great time, just as we were.”
Radford College students accepted their Lifeline Canberra award last week outside Old Parliament House. Photo: Oliver Jacques.
Ashley said mixing young people with the elderly was something that should happen more often.
“It’s so much fun to see the joy on the residents’ faces. It’s the highlight of our week and the highlight of their week too.”
Isobel has urged other students to get involved.
“You never know what you might learn about your self or your life. I think it teaches you a lot about yourself as well.”
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