The ‘Children Volunteering Buddies’ student-led project was set up to provide a stimulating experience for young and old people by bringing them together for fun activities.
The UCL volunteers, with the help of the VSU, established links with teachers and pupils from Argyle Primary School and the staff and elderly members of the Millman Street Resource Centre and brought them together for an Easter party at the end of March 2009.
Before the party, the volunteer committee (5 volunteers, including the two co-project leaders) went to Argyle Primary School to develop plans for the Easter party together with the pupils, raising their awarenesss of how to get along with the elderly, drawing Easter cards for the elderly and deciding what they would perform at the party.
During the Easter party held at the Millman Street Resource Centre, the school pupils and volunteers played some ice- breaking games and then the pupils did their performance and everyone got involved in a sing-along. After that the kids and the elderly painted Easter eggs together. The party ended with light refreshments and presents being given out. UCL student volunteers played a very important role in the party as they helped to bridge communication between the young people and the elderly.
The feedback from both Argyle School and Millman Street Resource Centre was positive. The pupils had a chance to meet UCL students and this may help them aspire to pursue university education in the future. The party also provided a fun and interactive way for generations to get together and understand each other more.
All the student volunteers were from Hong Kong and through being involved in setting up and delivering their own volunteering project they gained a better insight to life and society in England.