Fernhill Dementia Care Home

Four Sixth Form pupils, usually considering a medical career, spend two hours every Monday afternoon, helping staff in a dementia home.They organise activities that stimulate the residents, as well as simply talking to them.

Aims

To support the residents of the home.

To offer potential medical students firsthand experience of a widespread condition, and to improve their communication skills (often in difficult circumstances).

Background

Canford School approached the home offering pupil help.

Resources

Apart from taking the pupils to the home, no Canford staff are involved. Pupils are under the direct management of the home's staff while they are here helping.

Impact

Informal feedback from the home indicates that the help offered is useful.

Pupil Involvement

Given the nature of the home, only Sixth Form pupils are involved. They are mostly potential medical students.

Frequency

Two hours every Monday afternoon throughout the academic year.