Heartwarming scheme recruits children to read stories to pensioners... and it’s staving off loneliness

manchestereveningnews.co.uk:

A heartwarming scheme that pairs little ones to read to pensioners wants more care home residents to get involved. A Trafford home care provider is looking for older people to join Silver Stories, which sees children telephone ‘Sliver Listeners’ and read stories to them once a week.

Silver Stories was launched back in 2015 by retired headteacher Elizabeth Carney Haworth and her husband David, to tackle the loneliness felt by older people, and improve inter-generational relations as well as the well-being of the older generation. READ MORE: The scheme matches children with Silver Listeners, connecting the generations through stories and poems as well as building children’s confidence and complimenting their schooling.

Care provider Trustcare – part of Trafford Housing Trust – and Silver Stories have now joined forces to recruit more ‘Silver Listeners’.

Joyce Bowett of Newhaven, Timperley, is one of seven Trustcare customers who was very keen to become a Silver Listener. Joyce said: “For many years I went to Heyes Lane School in Timperley to listen to the pupils reading, so when this opportunity of becoming a Silver Listener came along, I jumped at the chance to feel I was doing something to help others.” Joyce, who has been linked with two children, 10-year-old Ralf and Alexandra, 11, from a school in the South of England, said: “Being in my 80s now I am unable to drive, and my mobility is not as good, so I miss so much doing what I’ve always enjoyed doing, helping others. “I look forward to every Thursday and listening to Alexandra and Ralf and how they are growing in confidence and expression. “I love our wonderful friendship that has developed and the interaction of the generations.