Education
Some kids at Invercargill Middle School now wait to see if their favourite resident is available before they'll start reading. That's not a bad outcome for a literacy programme.
Enliven Southland has launched a pilot initiative — Enliven Literacy with Legends — pairing Walmsley House care home residents with school pupils for weekly reading sessions. The idea is straightforward: residents listen while children read aloud, no assessment, no pressure, no performance. Just books and conversation.
The programme ran in test form last term and is now operating for the full duration of Term 3.
Enliven Southland director Carol Riddle said the benefits ran both ways. "It's been amazing to watch the relationships grow and how some of the pupils already have their favourite residents after a short time. Some now wait for their favourite resident to be available."
Teacher Atlanta Gee said the change in students had been visible. "They look forward to the weekly visits, and the experience has encouraged them to see reading as something more enjoyable rather than just a classroom task."
Pupil Elsie put it more simply. "I like reading with different residents, I like that they clap at the end. I look forward to seeing them on Thursdays."
Principal Sarah Calder said the speed of the connections had caught staff off guard. "It has been wonderful to see the pupils become more caring and confident in their conversations, while the residents remember the children and look forward to their visits each week. It has been really special to see how much the pupils and the residents enjoy spending time together."
For Walmsley House resident Jean Finnerty, a former primary school teacher, the decision to volunteer was personal. "I couldn't have children of my own, so I grab any opportunity I can to socialise with them."
She's been watching the shy ones come around. "It's brilliant. The kids are just great. It's one of the best things that have happened to me in years."
The programme costs nothing to run beyond Enliven Southland's own transport support. If the evaluation goes well, there are plans to expand it to more schools across Southland — and potential for reciprocal visits, where pupils come to the care home.
Sometimes the simplest ideas are the ones that actually work.