Caterham School student, Annabel Mitchell, is extending the hand of friendship across the generations by organising events for the Owners at Caterham Lodge.
The fourteen year old is volunteering at Churchill Retirement Living’s development as part of the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme and is enjoying spending time with the retirees who own apartments there.
She said: “I am organising afternoon teas and social events for the Owners at Caterham Lodge and I’m really enjoying it. This week I put on a Love Songs and Fizz event which the Owners loved. It’s lovely to get to know people from a different generation and it’s helping me build my confidence talking to groups of people. It’s also nice to know they are enjoying the time I spend with them.
“I’ve got lots of ideas for my next few events – l might try and bake something, and I have been considering doing some non-alcoholic cocktails for everyone. I think that will be fun!
“These activities are for the volunteering part of my bronze Duke of Edinburgh, but I think I’ll carry on visiting even when I’ve achieved the award. I don’t have grandparents in this country – mine are in Australia and India – so it’s nice to get to know people of my grandparents’ generation and form friendships.”
Lais Hungria, Owner at Caterham Lodge said: “Annabel is doing a great job at Caterham Lodge. We thoroughly enjoy her events and I think it’s mutually beneficial – it’s great for us to speak to people from different generations too.”
Caterham Lodge provides a stylish collection of one and two bedroom apartments designed exclusively for over 60s. Located on Stafford Road, the Lodge is superbly placed to take advantage of the wealth of facilities and amenities Caterham has to offer. With two town centres, Caterham enjoys superb shopping; from high street names to small family-run retailers, as well as pubs and restaurants offering a variety of cuisines to suit all tastes.
Surrounded by some of the finest scenery in the South East of England, the town has easy access to the M25 and Caterham train station offers regular services into London.