Caring Sixth Form students at Haberdashers’ Monmouth Schools have been building friendships with residents of a nearby care home.

The Monmouth students have been visiting The Orchard Care Home in Ganarew one afternoon a week during term time.

The Orchard offers care services to elderly residents with specific needs, including dementia.

And Monmouth School for Boys’ A level students Lucas, 18, and Marcus, 17, are among the pupils who have been thriving from the trips.

Marcus said: “We have been organising mental and physical activities for the residents, including flower arranging, crosswords, and other games.

“I would like to read Medicine at university and visiting the home has been a wonderful experience because it has helped me to understand a bit more about dementia patients.”

Lucas said: “I didn’t know too much about dementia before we started helping out at the home but I have gained a fabulous insight.

“As a group, we always look forward to visiting the home and enjoy chatting to residents and planning fun activities for them to have a go at.”