
BBC
8/19/17: This is a sweet story about a sweet young man who is making an effort to end loneliness among the elderly. Fraser, a 20-year-old student who is studying medicine at Falkirk University in Scotland, volunteers at his local nursing home four to five times a week and takes pairs of residents for pedicab rides along the countryside.
“Everyone has some time in their lives that they could give back to the older generation, and offer them opportunities like this they wouldn’t get otherwise.”
Fraser is part of a group of about 30 student volunteers who have taken out around 150 residents since February. The idea originated a couple of years ago in Denmark with five trishaws (rickshaws with two passenger seats) pedaled by volunteers. It quickly spread, first throughout Denmark and then to another 28 countries. Young Fraser heard about the idea and he and his friends launched it in Scotland in early 2017.
The Scottish volunteers are hoping they, too, can turn their project into a country-wide program, and they’re off to a great start. Since the BBC featured the program in their “Amazing Humans” series, the video has gotten 20 plus million views.
(Via)

October 19, 2024 at 7:18 am
What a great thing to do! I am 72 years old and I am studying aging at the local university. I am appalled at the idea that today so many people feel lonely because family is not around. I feel it myself, sometimes, as my children and their children think I live too far away. But, I am blessed to go to school and have a social life in my church. Lovely post. Thank you.
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October 19, 2024 at 11:03 am
I have a good friend who is around your age and who has dedicated her retirement to education and has even become volunteer clergy. She, too, has a very full life. You two are an inspiration!
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October 19, 2024 at 7:25 am
What a wonderful thing to do!
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October 19, 2024 at 11:03 am
Isn’t it? People can be so sweet.
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October 19, 2024 at 8:59 am
Oh, my goodness–those two old women smiling and singing…what a fantastic idea this young man had!
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October 19, 2024 at 11:04 am
This is one of my all-time favorite posts for just that reason!
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