Annual cream tea party

100 elderly people are treated to an afternoon of entertainment by the girls of Queenswood and a high tea. The guests are drawn from care homes in Hertfordshire: Greenhill House, Mayfair Lodge, Abbeyfield Donalson Lodge, Furzfield, Greenfields, Cooperscroft, Emannuel Lodge, Home Dell Manor and Wyllyotts Sixty Plus Club. Sixth formers serve the refreshments and other years provide the entertainment. School transport is provided for those who require it.

Aims

To provide a morale boosting outing to the elderly who are often confined to their care homes.

To enable our pupils to reach out to those less fortunate than themselves within the community and to understand the importance of serving others.

The residents of the Care Homes are made to feel very special and valued by our girls.

Our pupils benefit from mixing with an older generation.

Background

The project was identified by a former teacher who was looking for opportunities to engage with the community. She reached out to care homes more than eight years ago and it has grown in size since then.

Resources

High tea refreshments, catering equipment and crockery etc

Support from the in-house catering department.

Use of Dining Hall or marquee.

Sixth form involvement as waiting staff and other year groups to provide entertainment.

Use of school minibuses and cars.

 

Impact

Very appreciative feedback received from the guests and care home staff. This is an annual event that our guests look forward to with eager anticipation every June.

Pupil Involvement

The majority of sixth form girls are involved in serving. The involvement of other year groups in providing the entertainment varies year by year depending on the acts to be performed.

Frequency

This is an annual event which has been occuring for more than eight years.