Festive fun for the elderly at high school

The well-attended event saw guests tucking into plenty of Christmas treats prepared by the student at St Joseph's Catholic High School.

Assistant headteacher Mr Nevitt, said: “As a Christian school, St Joseph’s likes to put the Gospel values into action by reaching out to provide some good cheer to those around Workington as we remember the birth of Jesus.”

Students made a success of the day with help from head of catering, Mrs Fowler, who said: “It was a fantastic effort from all the catering students.

“The event really helps the students with real life-work skills.”

As well as enjoying delicious food, which went down a storm, guests of the Christmas party watched performances from the school’s choir, designed to get their hearts soaring and filled with seasonal cheer.

All who attended had an abundance of festive fun, playing games including bingo and a raffle.

St Joseph’s School holds the event every year to help fight loneliness that some elderly people might feel over the Christmas period.

It is tradition for a student to dress up as Santa Claus to hand each guest a special Christmas gift.

One party-goer said: “The students and staff were delightful. Well done to the students, the singers and the cooks.

“The food was very good – it’s the best Christmas pudding out there.”

Year 9 catering student Tyler said: “We really enjoyed serving the food and it has helped me with my confidence.

“We got everything ready in time, but it’s a lot of preparation.”

Although not involved in the event, Age UK West Cumbria have hailed events of this kind as “invaluable.”

A spokesperson of Age UK West Cumbria said: “The festive period can be a difficult time for some older people.

“Bereavement, poor health and rural living mean that many people in west Cumbria will spend Christmas alone.”

They said: “Activities like this provide older people with an invaluable opportunity to socialise and connect with others – well done to everyone involved.”