The Mayor of Stockport and Councilor David Wilson joined Stockport College for our Welcome Wednesday this month in partnership with Age UK. On the 28th of September, we welcomed over 25 local members to our campus to enjoy an afternoon of various social activities and refreshments.
The Student Experience Team work together with curriculum areas and community partners to ensure our students have great opportunities that complement their learning journey.
Visitors to the campus were welcomed with tea and coffee, made by our student volunteers, and a welcome speech from Mayor of Stockport and Councillor David Wilson, Jane Andrew, Head of Creative Arts Studies at Stockport College, and Hazel Batty from Age UK Stockport.
“I’m very pleased to be here for this lovely occasion. Celebrating International Day for Older Persons as part of Stockport College’s event, Welcome Wednesdays. I want to pay tribute to all of the intergenerational work that Stockport College does with Age UK, I’ve heard a lot about the initiatives and different projects, including the students from Art and Design and Hair and Beauty courses.
I think it’s great that Welcome Wednesdays allow us to get together like this. Different generations come together to socialise and understand each other’s points of view. We all have one thing in common, we are from Stockport – as one, with help from Stockport College and Age Concern. Special thanks to Hazel Batty, Michelle McLaughlin, Jane Andrew, and the fantastic students. I want to give a massive thank you to the Principal of Stockport College, James Scott.
It’s a great way to encourage building different skills, work experiences, views, and languages. The event has been so valuable.” – Mayor of Stockport
“Big thank you to the Mayor for sharing this afternoon with us. We are partnered with Stockport College for Welcome Wednesdays to get everyone together to do some great intergenerational work with Age UK. Thank you to Stockport College and their students for hosting this.” – Hazel Batty, Age UK.
“It’s great to see some returners from previous events, we’re really excited everyone here. We have opportunities to do some pencil drawing, graphite drawing, knitting, and crocheting. There are also opportunities to get a hand massage. We have some photographs of Stockport from the library to take a look at.” – Jane Andrew, Head of Studies: Creative Arts.
Students from Art and Design subjects volunteered for this event to help encourage conversation between different generations and to learn new skills as well as work experience. Our volunteers showed visitors how to pencil draw from objects, and some visitors even showed our students some life drawing skills.
Our students from Hair and Beauty came along to provide luxurious hand massages, enjoyed by our visitors.
“It was a nice event. Lovely atmosphere. My daughter used to come to this college and it’s been wonderful to visit again. I’ve been to Welcome Wednesdays three times now! My best friend since I was fourteen, Joan, recommended it to me and we come together.” – Anne
“I’ve had a relaxing time. The students were very nice. My wife and I are coming back next week to get another massage and a pedicure with the beauty students.” – Derek
“I really enjoyed it. It’s my second time here now and I’m already looking forward to the next one.” – Jean
Special thank you to all of our student volunteers who dedicated their time to help with the event:
Morgan Shorte
Leone Wilcox
Mark Faulk
Rebecca Ashfield
Erin Bailey
Sophie Moxon
Aiden Walker
Ayaan Aslam
Bailey Wilkinson
Sunny Hateley
Afshan Khazor
Fareida Ali
Grace Blamire
Lilly-Mae Roberts
Sajal Nisa
A huge thank you to all of our staff and visitors for being a part of such a wonderful social event. We look forward to the next Welcome Wednesday and we hope to see some returning faces.