A SELFLESS Darlington teenager is following in her mum’s footsteps by pledging to spend her school holidays volunteering with older people.

Fourteen-year-old Chloe Liddle’s volunteering streak began earlier this year.

As Covid restrictions were lifted, Chloe offered her time to help out at Rosemary Court, which provides 24-hour support for people aged over 50.

The year 10 student then returned during her half term break in October, and now plans to spend much of the Christmas holidays volunteering. This year she received a service in the community award from her school, Longfield Academy, and was shortlisted at Darlington's Stronger Community Awards.

Her mother Becky Liddle, service manager at the supported housing scheme in Lascelles Park, has worked in care since her teens and was named frontline leader of the year in 2017.

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Chloe plans to start an apprenticeship with the national adult health & social care charity Making Space, which provides the care at Rosemary Court, when she leaves school in 2023.

She says the hours of volunteering she is currently clocking up will stand her in good stead for the future.

Chloe said: “Caring for people is in my blood. I have watched my mum do it all of my life and seen the satisfaction she gets from her work. I can’t think of anything else I would rather do when I leave school.”

"I have decided the best route is to start a social care apprenticeship as soon as I finish my GCSEs

"I very much hope to follow in my mum's footsteps and maybe become a team leader and a manager myself one day."

Mum Becky said: "During her school holidays, Chloe comes into Rosemary Court most days, supporting staff to take tenants on outings, helping out at coffee mornings and playing games and joining in with activities.

"Tenants love it, especially when she plays bingo or dominos with them. At Rosemary Court, we are massive believers in the power of intergenerational work.

"Some of the people who live at Rosemary Court don’t have their own children or grandchildren so it’s really nice for them to have a chance to talk with someone of a very different age.

"Spending time with Chloe helps tenants to reconnect with their younger selves and Chloe herself is gaining lots of experience and insight from volunteering with older people."

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