An East Yorkshire-based housing association played host to a series of live poetry readings by sixth form students to help over 60s celebrate Valentine’s Day.
Residents of Pickering and Ferens Homes enjoyed an anthology of classic poetry that celebrates love, read aloud by Wyke College students, at Ada Holmes Circle, as part of a longstanding initiative to tackle loneliness and isolation in later life.
With the partnership between the association and the Bricknell Avenue-based college now its third year, Claire Warren, chief executive of PFH says the residents were delighted to see the students returning.
She said: “We know that loneliness and isolation is a real issue for some of our residents, especially for those who might not have someone to share sentimental dates in the calendar, such as Valentine’s Day, with.
“We have seen enormous success with these types of events in the past, in particular live poetry readings which are firm favourites among our residents, as it encourages them to not only interact with other people within the community, but different generations too.
“I know the students have really enjoyed visiting our residents in the past and we are keen to work with them on many more events going forward.”
Previous poetry readings by the English students have been based around the renowned work of Philip Larkin, including a famous collection Whitsun Weddings, produced in Hull.
David Green, head of Wyke College’s English faculty, said: “Every time we have visited Pickering and Ferens Homes, the students immediately see the warming effect that not only the poetry has on the residents, but also the difference it makes from a social perspective.
“The students really do see the value in this partnership and always look forward to visiting and sharing their studies with the residents.”