STUDENTS from Swan Hill’s St Mary MacKillop College have embraced a lesson in empathy and compassion.
Swan Hill District Health volunteer co-ordinator Marie Martin organised sessions of wheelchair training as a way to encourage Swan Hill youth to volunteer with the elderly population.
Ms Martin said the sessions aimed to involve young people in volunteering and “enhancing the care” that SHDH can provide.
“For the past year, we have been developing a partnership with St Mary MacKillop College to have Year 11 and 12 students attend wheelchair training,” she said.
“Once trained, the community-minded students will take (residents) at Logan Lodge touring around the streets of Swan Hill.
“It is hoped that the students from the class develop rapport with the residents, enhancing care and providing an activity for residents to look forward to.”
Student Ned Ryan said it was important to learn how to give assistance to people who needed it.
“The topic we are learning about is called ‘what is community?’ and I think it is important for us to give back to our community,” he said.
“When there are people who have difficulty walking, sometimes they might need a helper and some extra support.”
Occupational therapist Judy Irvin taught the students the basics of wheelchair use, including the importance of communicating with the person in the wheelchair.
Students learnt how to set up wheelchairs for use and how to navigate obstacles when volunteering.
College teacher and health and physical education domain leader Laura Crow said students could gain lifelong skills from volunteering.
“The class is called Personal Development Skills,” she said.
“This opportunity allows these students to be able to offer their services to the hospital and connect with lodge residents.
“It’s so important to have young people volunteering across the community.
“It helps them build so many of those important values, things like empathy, dignity, and compassion all of which are lifelong skills.”
