Following the sad announcement above, we said we would put together a few stories about some of the great projects the club has done over the years. It is amazing what can be done by a group of like-minded people with support from their community, other Rotary clubs or the global reach of Rotary International. Having said that, this is a recent local one and started with one Rotarian with a bee  in his bonnet about elderly people living in isolation.

Bridging Generations.

This great local project does exactly what it says on the tin. Our Hein van der Steen (yes, he’s Dutch) had an idea for what looked like a very ambitious project back in 2016-17, but he somehow managed to draft in the necessary support and make it work brilliantly. The main objective behind the project was to bring together the young and the elderly over food and social activities. Social isolation is believed to affect about one million older people in the UK and severely impacts their quality of life. Distant relatives; hearing, sight or mobility challenges; low confidence – there are many potential barriers to a healthy social life for the elderly.  

Evesham College agreed to host a series of events where students and older people would be able to mix, interact and enjoy themselves. The first event was in January 2018, when twenty elderly guests were invited to a two-course lunch followed by entertainment in the form of bingo. The event was a solid success for all involved and students were able to interact with the wider community in a real-life scenario, get practical experience and learn new skills. The seasonal home-cooked lunch was expertly prepared and served by the students on the Supported Learning catering course, whilst the Health and Social Care students lead the afternoon’s entertainment. The format was set, and only the entertainment and the menu vary each time. A lady from Evesham said: “I live alone, so coming out is wonderful! The meal is always delicious and the students are so very warm and welcoming. The interaction between young and older people benefits both groups’’.

A Supported Learning student from Evesham said: “It’s been a fun project to be involved in and has been a new opportunity for me. I have learnt new skills such as teamwork and the importance of timing. I would be interested in working in a local cafe or restaurant when I finish College, so this gives me a really useful learning experience.”

The Head of Department for Sport, Public Services, Hospitality, Counselling and Care, said: “The benefits of running this project are huge. All our Hospitality and Care students have a mandatory 200 hours of work experience as part of their course, so this project helps by giving them an opportunity to do some of these hours in a meaningful way. It’s a really positive experience working in partnership with another department and, importantly, it all helps make the College part of the wider community.”

During Covid, when social isolation was an even bigger problem, the College prepared a packed afternoon tea. This was delivered to the participants by members of Rotary and partners. After Covid, the student courses moved from Evesham to Pershore College, so Bridging Generation also moved. The project had the support and momentum to overcome these challenges.

Several college staff members are involved but the driving force behind the project is Sarah Mackins, who runs the kitchen with her students and has never disappointed! Another important person behind the project is Selina van der Steen. She liaises regularly with participants, sorts out attendance at the next session (there are rather more people on the list than space allows), and coordinates the complex transport arrangements. Some participants drive themselves, while others are picked up by Rotarians or partners. The challenge is to end up with 18 participants and nobody being disappointed! The guests greatly enjoy the four hours out of the house, including the drive.

Happily, the closure of the Rotary Club of Evesham does not mean that the project is coming to an end. Hein is joining our spin-off club, Rotary in the Vale, and will ensure that this wonderful project continues. He says: “Attending a simple event like this where they can enjoy some social interaction has a really positive impact on an older person’s well-being.” 80 sessions and counting!

…………………………………………….