Stories about YOPEY Dementia Befriender (YDB) schemes in 2019
We started 2019 with YOPEY Dementia Befriender (YDB) schemes running in 13 places.
Among these are sixth-formers going in to care homes in Chelmsford, Norwich, Nottingham and Watford. We have started our first scheme in Bedfordshire in Leighton Buzzard, also using sixth-formers.
Younger secondary school pupils are going into other care homes Cambridge and Watford.
We have two schemes running in two semi-rural areas of Suffolk with several more planned as we endeavour to make YOPEY's home county the 'Beacon for Befriending'.
Cambidgeshire is also earmarked for major expansion.
We are also working for a second year with our first primary school, Burton End in Haverhill. You can see a film about our youngest volunteers on Youtube.
Our schemes in West Bridgford, Notts, and Wymondham, Norfolk, are in their fifth and third year respectively.
YOPEY founder Tony Gearing MBE said: "In 2019 we are poised for our biggest expansion yet."
Our first YDB scheme in Ipswich
Photos by Paul Sanwell of OP Photography
Teenagers from an Ipswich school have been trained to be ‘YOPEY Dementia Befrienders’ and make friends with elderly people living with dementia.
The sixth-formers from Northgate High School were recruited by the charity YOPEY and trained by YOPEY founder Tony Gearing MBE at The Willows care home in Ipswich.
About two-thirds of The Willows' 60-plus residents have dementia, many are lonely and some do not get any
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Our first YOPEY Befrienders in Ipswich are trained by Tony
Photos by Paul Sanwell of OP Photography
YOPEY Dementia Befriender has brought together its first school & care home in Ipswich. Here are photos of sixth-formers from Northgate High School being trained by YOPEY Founder Tony Gearing MBE at The Willows care home in Ipswich. Photos of the young people's first conversations with care home residents to follow...⠀
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Northgate High YOPEY Befrienders meet Willows residents for first time
Photos by Paul Sanwell of OP Photography
YOPEY Dementia Befriender has brought together its first school & care home in Ipswich. Here are photos of sixth-formers from Northgate High School being meeting residents at The Willows care home for the first time...
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New photo album Rushcliffe YOPEY Dementia Befrienders
Photos by Andrew Wainwright
The fifth year of YOPEY Befrienders from Rushcliffe School volunteering at a care home in West Bridgford, Nottingham, have been visiting for a few months. So we thought it time to send along a photographer and record their blossoming friendships with residents.
Here a few of the 29 Year 12s are photographed chatting with residents and taking part in an activity at Leawood Manor care home.
The photos of old and young comparing telephones, old and modern, are wonderful.
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New photo album St Michael's YOPEY Dementia Befrienders
Photos by John Flynn
The new group of YOPEY Befrienders volunteering at Lancaster Court care home in Watford have been visiting for a few months. So we thought it time to send along a photographer and record their blossoming friendships with residents.
I guess the dog belongs to care home manager Ann?
Here a few of the dozen Year 12s from St Michael's Catholic High School in Garston are photographed befriending at the care home in Leavesden Green.
Thank you Sarah, Shaye
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Third year of Thomas Gainsborough YDBs focus on 100% dementia home
Teenagers from a Suffolk school have been trained to make friends with elderly people living with dementia.
The sixth-formers from The Thomas Gainsborough School (TGS) in Great Cornard were recruited by the Suffolk charity YOPEY and trained by the charity at the Mellish House care home in the village. This is the second year of TGS students to visit Mellish House and the third year the Great Cornard secondary has taken part in the YOPEY Dementia Befriender scheme.
Once they have passed checks by the Government’s
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