Friendship blossoms between students and a Bowes House resident

Home news

Jan 30, 2017

Pupils from a local school have spent time with a Bowes House resident after they formed a special friendship last year.

Doug Tamsett, aged 93, a resident at Bowes House care home, received a visit from pupils from Hailsham Community College, and enjoyed the afternoon chatting over tea.

The special relationship started last year, when it became a tradition for the students to give Doug a wave on their way home from school as they passed him each day.  In December, the pupils surprised Doug with a special visit and a Christmas present.

On Thursday 19^th January, Katie Saxby, Maddi Calaway, Megan Noya, Holly Pope, Ami Schulz, Megan Barton and Matthew Barton, Year nine pupils at Hailsham Community College, and vice principal Natalie Chamberlain, were invited back to Bowes House to get to know Doug even better.

The students were treated to an extra special tea party, where they spent time chatting with Doug, finding out about his childhood memories, and enjoying the tasty treats created by the head chef at the home.

Home manager at Bowes House, Helena Barrow, said: “We were thrilled to be able to invite the pupils back to the home to spend a little more time with Doug, as he always enjoys waving to the pupils as they walk home from school. It has been a brilliant opportunity to bring different generations together, and for the residents to enjoy conversations and build new relationships.”

Natalie Chamberlain, vice principal at Hailsham Community College added: “We were delighted to hear that our students had taken the time to visit Doug last year. It’s wonderful to hear how the different generations have come together to spend quality time with each other – and we hope this is the start of a lovely new friendship and an ongoing link between Hailsham Community College and Bowes House.”