Swindon students brave heatwave to bring tea party to elderly residents

The RWBA Sixth Form had to cancel their original plans for the much-anticipated Community Tea Party event due to concerns over the effects of the heatwave on the elderly attendees.

Preparations for the tea party had been going on for weeks and local residents were looking forward to the party, which included a cream tea, raffle, and entertainment all organised by Year 12 students from the sixth form.

Disappointed that the tea party couldn’t go ahead and with all the planning and preparation that had been put into the original event, students decided if the residents couldn’t come to the sixth form, then they would take the party to them.

Armed with baskets full of scones, jams, cream, and quiz sheets, a group of RWBA students visited local care homes Miranda House, Ridgeway House, and the Lorna Doone Centre, to deliver their cream teas and chat with residents.

Staff at the care homes said: “We are extremely grateful to the students and the residents are delighted to have such lovely visitors.”

Year 12 student Ariana Shafie said: “The residents were so happy to see us, it was really nice that we could still deliver a little part of the tea party for them, hopefully it took their minds off the heat for a little while.”

Hilary Stubbs Sixth Form Support Manager confirmed plans to still hold the event.

She said: “We are hoping to reschedule the Community Tea Party in the next academic year. We would like to say a huge thank you to all the students who volunteered their time both baking the scones and visiting our elderly residents.”

Those interested in learning more about Royal Wootton Bassett Sixth Form and what it has to offer can visit: www.rwba.org.uk/sixthform 

The Sixth Form will also be holding their annual Open Evening for Year 11 students on 12 October 2022.