Ten young people from Christ Church Turnham Green gave 20 Chiswick Senior Citizens a real treat last Tuesday. The young people escorted them on a trip by minibuses around Richmond Park, a short stroll in the picturesque Isabella Plantation and afternoon tea at Pembroke Lodge. 

Many of the elderly people used wheelchairs or walking aids.  The young people (aged 14 to 19) were all trained in advance in safe wheelchair and mobility handling practices and were accompanied by eight adult volunteers.

The trip was organised by Pauline Hart of the Buzz Club in conjunction with Cathryn Fergie, Co-ordinator for Soul in the City Chiswick as part of the London-wide SoulInTheCity initiative that is aimed at helping young people from across the UK recognise that they have a lot of potential to contribute to society.

Commenting at the end of the trip, Pauline said: ‘Many of these elderly people do not get out very often so the opportunity to be escorted or pushed in their wheelchairs by bright young people was a great treat.  There was a great deal of laughter throughout and I hope that the youngsters will continue the relationships they have started today.’

This programme of entertainment is part of the Chiswick programme for SoulInTheCity during which some 60 Christian young volunteers will be working alongside local organisations on a variety projects to bring about permanent improvement to our community.  Further details are available on the July magazine page on www.christchurch-tg.org.uk

Endorsements for Soul in the City from leading public figures, including Prime Minister Tony Blair, Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir John Stevens, Archbishop of Canterbury The Most Rev Rowan Williams, and Rev Joel Edwards of the Evangelical Alliance can be found at: www.soulinthecity.co.uk/