Caring Sixth Form students at Haberdashers’ Monmouth Schools have been building friendships with residents of a nearby care home. The Monmouth students have been visiting The Orchard Care Home in Ganarew one afternoon a week during term time.

The Orchard offers care services to elderly residents with specific needs, including dementia. And Monmouth School for Boys’ A level students Lucas, 18, and Marcus, 17, are among the pupils who have been thriving from the trips.

Marcus Walch said: “We have been organising mental and physical activities for the residents, including flower arranging, crosswords, and other games. I would like to read Medicine at university and visiting the home has been a wonderful experience because it has helped me to understand a bit more about dementia patients.”

Lucas Chan said: “I didn’t know too much about dementia before we started helping out at the home but I have gained a fabulous insight. As a group, we always look forward to visiting the home and enjoy chatting to residents and planning fun activities for them to have a go at.”