Young volunteer celebrates the value of intergenerational friendship at Newbury Manor

With International Youth Day taking place this month, Newbury Manor is celebrating the contribution of one young volunteer whose compassion, enthusiasm and strong sense of community spirit are making a meaningful difference to residents, staff and visitors.

Twelve-year-old Ella, from Rowley Regis, has been a familiar and much valued presence at Newbury Manor’s fundraising fetes for several years, after being introduced to the home by family friend and manager Kim Young. Since then, she has become a regular at events, helping to raise money for residents’ funds and supporting the team wherever she can.

Having first attended the fetes with her Nan Jean, who previously worked in care and knew the team well, Ella quickly fell in love with the warm and welcoming atmosphere at Newbury Manor. She discovered how much she enjoyed meeting residents, chatting with families and playing an active role in events that bring the whole community together.

Whether she is helping to run stalls, supporting fundraising activities, welcoming visitors or simply lending a hand, Ella approaches every task with enthusiasm. She takes great pride in knowing that her efforts help to create enjoyable experiences and special moments for residents.

Jean said: "Ella has always been the sort of person who will help anybody, and she never needs to be asked twice because she genuinely enjoys getting involved. She is naturally caring, loves coming along to the fetes and is always looking for another job she can do to help the team."

That dedication was especially clear recently when Ella returned home from a school trip to Italy following a 30 hour journey and, despite being tired, was already talking excitedly about helping at Newbury Manor’s next event.

Ella’s caring nature has been inspired by those closest to her. With her Nan having worked in the care sector and her mum working in a hospital, she has developed a strong appreciation for kindness, community and supporting others from a young age.

Kim Young said: "Intergenerational relationships are incredibly important. They give younger people the opportunity to learn from the life experiences of older generations, while residents benefit from the energy, curiosity and companionship that young people bring.

"Ella is a wonderful example of how meaningful those connections can be. She has become a valued part of life here at Newbury Manor, building relationships, growing in confidence and showing our residents that younger members of the community truly value their time and company."

International Youth Day recognises the positive impact young people have on their communities, and Ella’s continued support is a lovely example of the difference they can make. Through her kindness and enthusiasm, she is helping to strengthen connections between generations while making a lasting contribution to life at Newbury Manor.

Everyone at Newbury Manor is incredibly proud of Ella and hopes her story will inspire more young people to get involved in their local community, spend time with older generations and discover how even small acts of kindness can make a big difference.