Sixth formers at a Yorkshire independent school have been taking time to connect with older former students and staff with regular phone calls during lockdown.
Scores of teenagers at Bradford Grammar School have signed up for the school’s Befriending Scheme, which aims to reach out to more than 300 Old Bradfordians and former teachers who may be feeling isolated and lonely with the pandemic restrictions.
BGS was one of the first schools in the country to trial the approach during the first lockdown, with student volunteers, parents, and recent leavers speaking to more than 150 Old Bradfordians. The scheme proved so successful it has been launched again.
Lindsey Davis, director of development and external relations at BGS, said: “Young people at BGS are keen to give back to the community and this is one of the ways they can really make a difference. Old Bradfordians who received calls last time said it really cheered them up, so we’ve expanded the call pool for this lockdown and have been really impressed by the enthusiasm of students to volunteer.”
Brian Parker, 75, who taught at Bradford Grammar School for three decades, said he had been following strict isolation rules with his wife from their home in Cottingley during the pandemic.
“I think the Befriending Scheme is a great idea,” he said. “It’s really important that people keep in touch. There are very few people who don’t have access to a computer, but I think a phone call is better than Zoom.”
BGS student, Rohan Lalli, said: “I’ve really enjoyed the scheme. I’ve learnt a lot more about the history of the school and some Old Bradfordians have given me lots of advice about applying to Oxbridge. It’s really interesting to hear their stories.”
The Befriending Scheme follows on from the school’s Christmas outreach to Old Bradfordians, where students wrote to more than 200 self-isolating Old Bradfordians and volunteered as part of a local hamper initiative, delivering jars of homemade chutney, cakes and biscuits which had been made by BGS’s executive chef.
“I’ve really enjoyed the scheme. I’ve learnt a lot more about the history of the school and some Old Bradfordians have given me lots of advice about applying to Oxbridge. It’s really interesting to hear their stories.”
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