University staff chat with York's elderly residents over a glass of sherry
Posted on 30 November 2006
Staff from across the University, have volunteered to take part in the 'sherry party' event, organised by York Cares, which aims to bring some Christmas cheer to elderly people in York. Volunteers will play cards, have a chat or offer advice on Christmas presents to the elderly residents.
We would like to say a big thank you to all those taking part in the biggest sherry party in town
Jacqui Tesselment
A number of sherry parties were held earlier this year to mark the launch of York Cares. One volunteer, Kay Mills-Hicks from the University's Computing Service said; "I really enjoyed chatting to a lady at the residential home. She had a wealth of stories - her husband used to be a train driver on the Flying Scotsman - and it turned out that we are both great fans of the BBC sitcom 'The Good Life'!"
Jacqui Tesselment, who manages York Cares at the University commented, "We would like to say a big thank you to all those taking part in the biggest sherry party in town. We know that the residents of our local elderly people's homes thoroughly enjoyed themselves last time and are looking forward to meeting staff for a Christmas drink."
York Cares is a registered charity promoting volunteering to people at work. To date, over 100 members of staff from the University have been involved with volunteering activities through the charity. These include; 10 members of staff helping primary school children to learn to read during their lunch hour, a team from the Finance Department running maths clubs at Osbaldwick Primary School and staff from the University Library helping to install internet facilities and write a training programme for the residents and care workers at Oliver House Elderly People's Home
Notes to editors:
- York Cares is an independent charity promoting employee-volunteering. It is led by local employers and nationally affiliated to Business in the Community, a unique movement of over 700 of the UK's top companies.
- The University, along with City of York Council, Corus, Garbutt and Elliott and Norwich Union, is a founder member of York Cares, and has played a pivotal role in establishing the charity.
- The York Cares team is based at The University of York, and can be contacted on 01904 433482.
- York Cares is one of 26 Cares programmes across the UK.
- York
Cares' member organisations are:
- Benenden Healthcare
- City of York Council
- Corus
- CPP
- Garbutt & Elliott
- HSBC
- Langleys Solicitors
- Mott MacDonald
- Norwich Union
- Rollits Solicitors
- Shepherd Building Group
- The Partners Group
- The University of York
- York & County Press
- York Marriott Hotel
- Since July 2004, York Cares has brokered over 750 volunteering opportunities in the city.