An inspirational group of young people from the St Albans Youth Council is supporting older people in their area who are affected by the high cost of living.
Aware of the cost-of-living crisis and how it could be affecting some older people in the area, the young people’s vision was to make a difference to the lives of as many older people as possible. Services for Young People, in partnership with St Albans District Council, supported the youth council members to turn their idea into a reality.
A young person who took part said:
“We are doing our best to make a change in the community.”
The sponsored litter pick at Rothamsted Park in Harpenden on 6 February 2023 raised enough funds for them to create care packages for some of the more vulnerable older people in their community.
The youth council members will hand-deliver the care packages to those living alone or in a local care home. The gesture is intended to provide practical support, reduce loneliness and to lift the recipients’ spirits. Each person will receive food and essential items, as well as poems and treats.
The event successfully brought the community together to provide practical and emotional support to many older people. It also had a positive impact on the young people’s mental health.
The young people plan to do another litter pick in the summer so they can support more older members of the local community.
St Albans Youth Council meet every Monday at Harpenden Young People’s Centre from 6.30pm to 8.30pm and welcome any new members aged 11 to 17.
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