TEENAGERS from Leigh and Atherton gave up part of their summer holiday to host afternoon tea parties for older people in their communities.

Leigh Youth Voice helped plan and deliver afternoon tea parties for supported housing residents at Brookdale Court in Leigh and Cherry Tree Grove in Atherton.

As well as tea, cakes and sandwiches, the residents enjoyed chatting with the teenagers and playing a range of games, including social bingo, where participants get the chance to take each other’s prizes.

Leigh Youth Voice's Declan Jackson, 15, from Leigh, said: "We wanted to do something that would help the older people socialise as we didn’t want anyone to be feeling lonely.

"We planned everything and wrote to Tesco to ask if they would support us, and they sent us some vouchers to help us out with the cost of food.

"We set up the food and organised some music and games to help everyone socialise."

Ruth Dean, 17, from Leigh, added: "It was a good thing to do as it really improved the communication between us and the older people.

"Some people think our generation is all bad, so we are trying to build a connection to show that is not true.

Resident Molly Craighead, 82, from Atherton, said: "It was very good.

"Some elderly people do get lonely, some have nobody. So it is important to get out and have a chat with other people."

Betty Kelleher, 92, added: "It was very nice and a nice change."

Leigh Youth Voice is one of three community youth voice groups run for young people by Wigan Council.

The groups help young people to get involved in and improve their communities.

Cllr Jo Platt, cabinet portfolio holder for children and young people, said: "As part of The Deal for children and young people, we encourage young people to be kind and caring to others and to help people in their community.

"This is a fantastic example of young people doing just that.

"It would seem that everyone benefited from the visit and shows what a positive difference this can make.’ Any young people who are interested in joining a youth voice group should e-mail voiceandengagement@wigan.gov.uk.