Wisbech student Sophie Clarke recognised by High Sheriff of Cambridgeshire after bringing ‘great joy’ to care home residents

A young woman who has been bringing "great joy" to elderly residents at a Wisbech care home has been recognised by the High Sheriff of Cambridgeshire.

Sophie Clarke, 17, is a "YOPEY Befriender", trained and supported by the East Anglian charity YOPEY, which recruits young people from all over the region to visit elderly care home residents, many of them living with dementia.

But Sophie, a sixth-former from Thomas Clarkson Academy in Wisbech, stands out because she is YOPEY's first Befriender who is also a wheelchair user.

The teenager has been visiting residents at Lyncroft Care Home in Clarkson Avenue for nearly two years.

YOPEY founder Tony Gearing MBE says Sophie is "wonderful to watch. She dexterously manoeuvres her chair around the home, chatting and laughing with residents as she goes."

To mark her 50 hours of volunteering, Lyncroft put on a reception for Sophie to which the High Sheriff was invited.

The reception was also attended by many residents, care home staff and representatives from the company that owns Lyncroft.

Lucy Bateson, Head of Marketing at Country Court Care, owner of many care homes including several in East Anglia, said it was a pleasure to hold a "lovely afternoon at Lyncroft for Sophie".

Clair Taylor, Manager of Lyncroft, who organised the reception, said: “Sophie has been wonderful; the residents look forward to her visit every week and she’s built up a fantastic rapport with them.

“We are delighted that Sophie will continue with her visits in future.”

The event was also attended by Alison Hornby, Sophie’s Head of the Sixth Form at Thomas Clarkson Academy, who was impressed by her student’s commitment to the elderly generation.

The High Sheriff, The Honourable Frances Stanley DL, saw the impact Sophie was having on Lyncroft's residents. "Sophie has a wonderful character that shines out."

After Sophie leaves school this summer, she plans to continue visiting residents, many of whom have become good friends, which the High Sheriff said "will bring them great joy".

The High Sheriff presented a framed certificate to Sophie "in recognition of outstanding service as a positive role model for young people in the community through her dedication and commitment to the YOPEY Befriender scheme".

Sophie was also given a £20 gift voucher, donated by the Wisbech branch of Robert Goddard department store.

Sophie was surprised by the celebration to mark her volunteering. "All the people who live and work at Lyncroft make me feel welcome. They are friendly and we often have a laugh." The High Sheriff made Sophie feel "very special".