We went to visit an old age home as part of the CAS Service experience. The purpose of this activity was to interact with elderly residents, spend quality time with them and contribute to their emotional well being. During the visit, I interacted with them, listened to their life stories and participated in simple activities such as singing bhajans, making origami and teaching them how to fly a paper plane. This experience allowed me to understand the importance of empathy, patience and respect when interacting with older individuals.

Through this CAS experience, I aimed to develop a sense of social responsibility and compassion while recognizing the value of human connection. It also helped me reflect on the challenges faced by the elderly, such as loneliness and lack of regular social interaction and encouraged me to contribute in a way that I could.

LO1 – Through this experience, I identified strengths such as empathy and active listening. I also recognised areas for growth, particularly in developing patience and improving my ability to communicate effectively with elderly individuals.

LO2 – Interacting with elderly residents was a new experience that required sensitivity and adaptability. I developed communication skills suited to different age groups and learned how to engage meaningfully in conversations.

LO4 – I demonstrated commitment by actively participating throughout the visit, making a consistent effort to engage with the residents and contribute positively despite initial hesitation.

LO5 – I worked with my peers to create a comfortable and engaging environment for the residents, participating in group interactions and activities that required cooperation and coordination.

LO7 – I showed respect, dignity, and sensitivity in all interactions, being mindful of the residents’ feelings and experiences, and understanding the importance of ethical behaviour in service based activities.