St Cuthbert’s students bridge generations through new companions scheme
A Newcastle care home resident took a trip down Memory Lane when he met sixth formers from his former school and shared stories of his time there.
Author and historian George Thornton was just one of the residents at St Catherine’s to spend time with students from neighbouring St Cuthbert’s Catholic High School, who have started making weekly visits to the care home as part of a new Sixth Form Companions initiative.
Deputy Head David Swindells introduced the scheme with the help of Assistant Head and Head of Sixth Form Mathew Turner, and Sarah Garay, who is Assistant Head of Sixth Form at the school.
“The initial idea came out of our five-year plan, ‘The Road to 150 Years’, where one of our three priorities is ‘Men for Others’ where boys are given opportunities to ‘recognise the dignity of all’, ‘act in solidarity with others’, and ‘use their gifts in service of the common good’,” he explained.
“The initiative sits during our Sixth Form Enrichment Programme which runs every Wednesday afternoon and mirrors the university experience. Boys have the option to sign up to cooking classes, politics, oracy, sustainability, football and basketball academies, and many more.
“Cuthbert’s Companions is included in our offer. It is very popular with pupils who are looking to study medicine or enter caring professions.”
The 18 students taking part have been divided into three teams of six, with each covering a term’s worth of visits.
Mr Swindells continued: “The Companions visit St Catherine’s every Wednesday afternoon, with each group committing to the programme for a full school term
“It entails basic companionship and care for the residents, which in only two weeks of visits had extended to musical performances, games, and conversations. This regularity is important – rather than being a one-off visit, the aim is to build genuine relationships between our sixth formers and the residents over time.
“A highlight of the last visit was Francis’s musical performance, and also arranging for George Thornton – a resident, alumnus of St Cuthbert’s, author, and local historian – to take part in some videoed storytelling, covering both his memories of St Cuthbert’s and the legends of our patron saint ahead of St Cuthbert’s Day on 20 March.”
The school, which is a member of the Bishop Bewick Catholic Education Trust, has long-standing links with St Catherine’s, from fundraising to carol singing, but this is the first time weekly contact has taken place between the two.
Mr Swindells added: “The visits give the boys an opportunity to live out our commitment to forming ‘Men for Others’, recognising the dignity of others, and using their time and talents in service of the common good.
“They also develop valuable skills including communication, empathy, confidence, patience, and responsibility. For those considering medicine or other caring professions, the experience is particularly valuable in giving them meaningful experience of interacting with and supporting older people.
“Just as importantly, the benefits are mutual. The residents receive regular companionship and interaction, while our students have the opportunity to learn from their experiences and stories.
“The relationship developing with former St Cuthbert’s student George Thornton is a great example of how the programme can also strengthen connections between different generations of the St Cuthbert’s community.”
Chris Zarraga, Director of Schools North East, said: ““Schools are some of the few institutions that genuinely connect generations within a community, and this initiative captures that brilliantly. What stands out is the commitment to building relationships over time, rather than treating community engagement as a one-off activity.
“There is something particularly powerful about current St Cuthbert’s students sitting down with George and hearing first-hand about the school and the city they share. Those conversations connect young people with the history of the place they are growing up in, while giving residents the opportunity to pass on experiences and stories that might otherwise be lost.
“This is exactly the kind of community role that North East schools fulfil every day, often quietly and without recognition.”
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