Fleetwood's youth love to entertain the town's elders

Young Regenda residents and West View Community Association Community Change members have provided a fun filled night of entertainment for the elderly residents at Regenda’s Wansbeck House in Fleetwood.

The event included entertainment hosted by the young residents including a generation quiz, bingo, raffles and drama as well as hot pot and home made cakes.

The top billing for the evening was a ‘song and dance’ piece created by the young people which gave a great finale to the night. ‘The War’ was the theme of the piece and the young people dressed up in costumes to reflect the era. They had practiced all week in their spare time and many of the elderly residents commented that their performance was faultless. They also performed poetry that they had written themselves.

Leanda Spence, Project Officer for the Regenda Group, who helped to organise the evening’s entertainment at the housing group’s sheltered housing scheme said; “The young West View Community Change members entertained elderly residents at Christmas and because it was such a success, they thought it would be a lovely idea if we could provide the elderly residents of Wansbeck with a Valentine’s event.“

Mal Hughes, Wansbeck House Scheme Manager added; “I organised a meeting with the residents to discuss what they would like the night to involve. They think it is a wonderful way to build good relationships with younger members of the community, breaking down the stereotypes that older generations can have about younger ones and they feel privileged that the youngsters care about them.”

Herrick Jones a Wansbeck House resident said “I thoroughly enjoy every event organised by the young people”.

“The young people were very entertaining. It was obvious that they have worked hard” added Mavis Birkett, a volunteer during the evening.