Two students from Bega High School have been working over the last six months to put together a concert for the elderly residents of an aged care facility.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Youth Frontiers have partnered with the school to bring the concert to Hillgrove House, Bega in October for Mental Health Week.
Year 7 students Alyssa Lockerbie and Ayden Neyle, who are part of the Youth Frontiers program, want to put this event on to help the home's elderly residents because they said many residents experience feelings of loneliness.
"We're hoping this event helps out the people of Hillgrove House," Ayden said.
"Even just to put smiles on their faces."
Alyssa has a connection to Hillgrove House because her 95-year-old great-grandmother lives there.
They used to be very close, but since she moved into the aged care facility they have not spent as much time together as Alyssa would like so she wants to see her more.
"For a long time I wanted to do something special for her," Alyssa said.
"But then I started to think about other people in the same way as my Nan who were lonely sometimes so I thought of doing something for everyone in Hillgrove House."
The students want to encourage younger generations to spend more time with elders and to get involved in this event.
They also want to raise awareness for the issues the residents might be going through.
According to Beyondblue, depression is common through Australia population and the elderly are more likely to experience it due to contributing factors such as physical illness or personal loss.
The mental health support group states it is thought between 10-15 per cent of the older population experience some form of depression and 10 per cent experience anxiety, while those living in age care are believed to be much higher at 35 per cent.
At the concert, students from the school - including Alyssa - and the Bega Valley Youth Choir will perform music from the 1940s to '60s to listen and dance to.
The students said if this event is a success they would like to hold it every year and would like to take it to other aged care facilities.
The Hillgrove House concert will run for one hour with music then afterwards there will be food.
If would anyone would like to volunteer to help out or speak to the residents they are welcome to join.
The concert is on Monday, October 21 from 1pm and Hillgrove House is at 24 Hill St, Bega.
To RSVP, call 6492 7777.
Youth Frontier is a NSW government founded organisation that goes over the span of six months and helps teaches life skills and build self confidence through support and mentoring.
This year, there are 60 Youth Frontiers mentees across the Bega Valley, which is the largest number the program has ever seen in the region.
