James has praised Health & Social Care students from Halesowen College students who have been taking part in a ‘Pen Pal’ scheme residents at local care homes. On 26th March he joined Sarah Hale, Placement Officer & Assessor at the College, as she dropped off and picked up letters at Two Gates House Care Home in Colley Gate, Halesowen.
Those studying Health & Social Care usually undertake a work placement in a local residential home, but the Covid 19 pandemic has made impractical, so instead students have supported care home residents in other ways such as delivering Christmas hampers and exchanging letters. Two Gates House is one of nine care homes that the College is working with as part of the scheme.
“Whilst the last twelve months have been a difficult time for us all, the physical and mental impact of isolation on those in care homes has been particularly challenging", said James.
“It’s also been a difficult time for those studying who have been unable to undertake work placements as part of their course, but I commend the Health & Social Care students at Halesowen College for thinking creatively and doing what they can to support care home residents. I am sure that the residents will have appreciated these letters and their Christmas hampers during what has been a very long and difficult winter.”
Sarah Hale, Health & Social Care Placement Officer & Assessor at Halesowen College, added, “We very much appreciate James's support and recognition of the importance in what our students have been doing with our pen pal scheme with local care homes. We look forward to welcoming James to Shenstone House to show case our students and staffs hard work in supporting and inspiring the next generation of health and social care.”
