Each year during term three around 30 Dungog High School (DHS) Year 10 students head to Dungog and District Nursing Home (Lara Aged Care) to get to know residents.
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Appropriately it is called the Adopt-a-Resident program where students sit and talk and join in activities with a cross-section of the Lara Aged Care community.
Student Tyra Hayden said the program, which had been running for some 8-9 years, was all about bringing some joy and happiness to others.
“It’s great to come up here and just talk to them, to make them happy and give them a laugh,” she said. “It’s also a great experience for students, one which helps build confidence and life skills for the future.
“They (residents) enjoy us coming up and spending time with them and we love talking and interacting with them.”
DHS careers advisor Judith Smith said the Adopt-a-Resident program was run only during term three and involved volunteers from Year 10. Some 30 students visited the aged care facility every fortnight.
“I don’t know who gets the most enjoyment from the visit... the students or residents,” she said.
Mrs Smith said the nursing home staff was very supportive and organised activities for residents to coincide with the student visit.
