ELDERLY people in Evesham and surrounding villages have received a special delivery of Easter treats from students at a local college.
Students from Evesham College partnered with the Rotary Club of Evesham to make 30 afternoon tea hamper deliveries as part of the Bridging Generations initiative.
Seven supported learning students created the packages before passing them onto the Rotary Club to deliver around the town.
Packages included scones, jam and cream, chocolate Easter cakes, shortbread, bread pudding, carrot cake, meringues and a selection of sandwiches.
Students also added an Easter themed basket including an Easter egg. Health and social care students even curated an Easter quiz to give the elderly recipients an activity to complete as they enjoyed their afternoon tea.
Bridging Generations is a student-led initiative which aims to connect young students with older people in the community. The Easter afternoon tea deliveries mirrored the successful Christmas initiative.
Prior to the Covid-19 pandemic, older members of the community were invited monthly into the college for a lunch and an opportunity to socialise with students as part of the project.
The Rotary Club of Evesham has also recognised the students for their significant impact in the community with a new award, which was presented to tutor Sarah Mackins and is one of only six such awards the club has presented during the pandemic.
Hein van der Steen, secretary of the Rotary Club of Evesham, said: “We had great feedback from everyone who received the deliveries and they enjoy the whole process, from being contacted and applying, to receiving the package.
“It has provided vital social contact during the Covid-19 period. The pandemic meant the students couldn’t carry on the project in its normal format, but they were inventive and thought of a great alternative to physical events.
“The people we deliver to really do look forward to it and it makes them feel like a part of the town’s community, in a time where communities are strained by the impact of the pandemic.
“It’s great to see the students so motivated to continue with the Bridging Generation project and we wanted to recognise their efforts with one of our awards.
“The Evesham College staff and students are a prime example of a group of people having a hugely positive impact in a difficult time.”
Sarah Mackins, tutor at Evesham College, added: “The Easter afternoon tea deliveries went wonderfully and it’s brilliant to see the group having such a positive impact on the local community.
“It’s great fun and supports the elderly in Evesham after what has been a difficult year of limited social contact.
“The initiative helps the students to develop key catering skills too. By creating these afternoon teas for a real ‘customer’, rather than just taking home what they create, it gives a taste of what it is like to work to deadlines and in real-world catering.
“We hope we will be able to re-commence our lunches at the college when restrictions allow and it is safe. This will be a great chance for the students to meet and socialise with the elderly people who have received the Easter afternoon teas.
“We would like to thank everyone at the Rotary Club for their support and we look forward to continuing to grow our partnership.”
Supported learning provision at Evesham College will be moving in full to Pershore College from September.
Visit www.wcg.ac.uk for more.
