A project aimed at bringing together the young and old got off to a great start in Feltham.
A group of students from Rivers Academy were the first to visit elderly people in sheltered housing on Lavender Court in Feltham, as part of a new scheme to boost interaction between young people and senior citizens across the borough.
During the visit last week, pupils learned about what sheltered housing is, and how it is run; as well as how life was for them when they were young and now that they are in sheltered accommodation.
Meanwhile the older generation were amazed to hear all about modern day schooling and how much it had changed compared to more than 50 years ago.
The project led by Keith Head, chairman of Sheltered Accommodation Residents Association (SARA), which runs 23 sheltered schemes is hoping all of Hounslow’s sixth form schools will sign up to join the scheme encouraging community cohesion.
Mr Head said: “Students’ comments hearing about life all them years ago and how they live today was amazing, ‘its better than reading books’.
"Senior citizens said it was so refreshing to talk to the students, and an eye opener on how schools are run.
“What a great afternoon to start, and may this be only one of many more to come, but we can only get better with more schools becoming involved, we now have five on board, but would like to double that at least.”
The trip was supported by Rivers Academy teacher Will Berryman who praised the project, and Michelle Hutchinson from Hounslow council.
To sign your school (pupils aged 16-18) up to be part of the project or to become a sponsor or make a donation to help cover costs such as transport contact Keith at keith.head.sara@gmail.com.
