Joan becomes a 'Silver Listener' | News

Silver Stories aims to connect the generations and Joan, a Sussex Housing & Care resident in Eastbourne learnt about Silver Stories in our recent newsletter and was quick to find out more. Joan shares how she's supporting 8 year old Quswa to read...

"Signing up was easy and done within a few days, someone called Ruth from Silver Stories rang me and explained the process. Soon after I had a call from David, the Assistant Deputy Headteacher from a primary school in Yorkshire. We agreed a time to phone which worked for me and each week at 8.45am on a Monday. I listen to Quswa read two chapters and on our first call I gave her 10 out of 10 for her reading!

It's all about the reader, I think it's great idea as listening in builds up the children's confidence for reading and speaking, and I feel happy I'm helping her. I said "well done I really enjoyed that story" and gave her some encouragement. It's nice to hear a child's voice and have the connection, it's only 15 minutes each week and it's now part of my routine.

I'd encourage more older people to take part because you're helping to build up someone's confidence which is the main thing in life, particularly when you're young. It's only a short phone call and at the end of it you know you've helped someone, particularly their confidence in school when you can be good at one subject and not so good at another."

If you or someone you know is interested to become a silver listener or silver reader, please click here to visit the Silver Stories website to find out more and sign up.