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."
New photo album Not out at Carrington House
Photos by John Flynn
Sixth-form YOPEY Befrienders from Vandyke Upper School have been visiting residents at Carrington House care home in Leighton Buzzard to provide companionship and entertainment.
Here are a couple of them organising a game of bowls.
One Callum Betley said: “The residents are very happy we are there. They have told us they love it when we come and it’s always nice to talk.”
Read More
New photo album Another game at Carrington House
Photos by John Flynn
Sixth-form YOPEY Befrienders from Vandyke Upper School have been visiting residents at Carrington House care home in Leighton Buzzard to provide companionship and entertainment.
Here are a few of them organising a different game.
Read More
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
Read More
Our first YOPEY Befrienders in Ipswich are trained by Tony
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...⠀...
Read More
Northgate High YOPEY Befrienders meet Willows residents for first time
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......
Read More
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.
...Read More
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
...Read More