Pupils at West Kirby School and College have been participating in a ‘Reading in the Community’ project.
It involves them visiting The Old Garden care home in Hoylake, where they connect with elderly residents through reading and conversation.
Pupils are paired up with an elderly “buddy” to read some stories, enabling the pupils to practise their reading and communication skills.
Teacher Jess Eccles told us: “To support their listeners, pupils have been encouraged to read a little louder and slower, as some residents may be hard of hearing.
“This is an excellent opportunity for the children to develop empathy, patience, and understanding of how companionship can brighten the lives of others.
“The residents eagerly look forward to meeting their young readers and listening to short stories. The project has been a mutually rewarding experience for everyone involved.”
The Old Garden in Hoylake
One of the pupils involved said: “I like reading to my buddy; he looks forward to storytime each week too.
“I speak loudly to help him hear, and I talk about what’s happening on each page”.
One resident said: “It’s wonderful to see stories with a splash of colour and listen to them being read.
“When I was little, all books were black and white”.
