JACOBS HOUSE SERVICE A helping hand
Volunteering at Anglican Living’s Fitzgerald Retirement Village is time well spent for a group of Jacobs House boys, who through their service in the community are proud to live up to the House motto “Non Sibi – Not for Self.”
a regular fixture of House life, open to all who want to take part. “We do it simply because we enjoy it,” says Sam. “It’s a good bonding experience, building connections between juniors and seniors in the House, as well as bridging the generation divide. It’s helped us expand our horizons and opened our eyes. A lot of the people, although of advanced age and suffering all sorts of age-related conditions, have really interesting stories that switch a light bulb on in your head. Because of it, we understand so much more about the community we’re living in.” Housemaster Matt Thatcher says a commitment to service is part of being a Jacobs House boy. “There’s
According to Year 12 students Sam Howard and Tommy Glass, in winter they talk to, play games with, “dance a bit” or “listen to the yarns” of the elderly residents, while in summer they do all that plus a bit of gardening or maintenance, such as building outdoor seating or staining fences, doing whatever they can to help out. “Lots of boys are keen to do it, even some you wouldn’t expect. It’s a really good thing to get out there and benefit the community. Everyone gets so much out of it,” says Tommy. It started when some boys needed to meet the service requirement for the Bronze Duke of Edinburgh's Hillary Award, but has since become
a consistent crew who like to be involved every time we go, but there are also always new boys who want to come along. I know the first time they go some boys can feel a bit apprehensive, because if you’ve never experienced it, you don’t understand how doing something for someone else can make their day – and how making someone else happy will make you happy too. It’s a win–win for all concerned.” Matt hopes the connection will stay strong and this relatively new, but oh-so-rewarding, Jacobs House tradition will continue long into the future.
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College Issue 33 2017
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