CTK St Mary’s Students Make a Difference in the Community

We are incredibly proud of Priya and Goodness, two compassionate and dedicated students from CTK St Mary’s, who went above and beyond to connect with and support the elderly community in Sidcup.

As part of a social action initiative, inspired by their course, Priya and Goodness reached out to the New Generation Church to better understand the impact of loneliness among older people. They attended a series of events with the group, offering their time, warmth, and listening ears.

During these visits, they did much more than observe—they became active volunteers. From setting up the hall and welcoming guests, to serving food and drinks, engaging in one-on-one conversations, and helping to clear up at the end of the day, their involvement was heartfelt and hands-on.

With permission from attendees, Priya and Goodness also took photos and created a short documentary, interviewing eight members of the group about their life stories and experiences. This powerful project helped give a voice to those who are too often unheard and highlighted the importance of intergenerational connections.

Here’s what Goodness had to say about hers and Priya’s experience:

“On Saturday, 5th July, we hosted our Elderly Connect event at New Generation Church in Sidcup, designed to bring joy, companionship, and connection to older members of the community. The project was proudly funded by the Mark Evison Foundation, whose support helped bring the initiative to life.

The day included live performances—Priya played the piano, and I led a sing-along of Lean on Me, which many found uplifting and emotional. We also ran a fun quiz, a lively Bingo game, and served refreshments including sandwiches, cakes, orange juice, coffee, and water.

One of the most powerful moments came during our documentary interviews. We learned that many of the elderly attendees had lived through World War II. One gentleman shared how, while walking home from school with his sister, they witnessed the tragic airstrike that devestated a school which he remembers to this day.

Despite these painful memories, they spoke with remarkable strength and even smiled as they reflected on how family and love kept them going. Many had lived in Sidcup, an area heavily affected during the war, and spoke about being displaced and eventually returning to rebuild their lives.

They reminded us that as young people today, we are fortunate to live in a time of peace, with access to education, technology, and freedom. It made me reflect deeply on how important it is to use our opportunities wisely and to connect with older generations whose stories hold so much wisdom.

This experience left me with greater empathy, deep gratitude, and a renewed sense of purpose. I’m thankful to have been a part of something that brought real joy to others while helping me grow personally.”

We would like to thank and recognise Priya and Goodness for embodying the CTK GRACES and for making such a meaningful impact. Their kindness, initiative, and maturity serve as a shining example of what it means to be a force for good in our community.