A girls school in Forest Gate visited a care home as part of a Muslim group’s campaign to help the elderly.

Students at Azhar Academy visited Folkestone Nursing Home in Folkestone Road, East Ham, to keep elderly residents company.

The visit was part of Islamic group 1st Ethical’s Helping Older People campaign, which is run in partnership with Age UK.

Since February, 1st Ethical has arranged for Year 9 students to visit the home over six weeks.

They have been asked to create a Lifebook – a collection of stories, quotes and photographs about the lives of the residents.

The books will be presented to the residents as gifts next month.

The school also received an assembly by Folkestone about elderly care and the opportunities available for students to help.

Umar Malik, 1st Ethical relationship manager, said: “These visits are really impactful for the students and the residents are really enjoying the visits.

“It opens doors to something the students never would have been exposed to before, leaving them with a new-found sense of appreciation for their elders and the duty they have to the lonely elders in their community.”

Miss Patel, a teacher at Azhar Academy, said: “Visiting the care home was an extremely beneficial experience.

“It was an extremely effective way of teaching them [the pupils] the history of life in east London.”

She added: “For most of our pupils it was the first time they had come face-to- face with the fragile nature of old age and the human mind, and this forced them to think about appreciating their youth and good health.

“Speaking to residents who spoke of feeling lonely affected the girls the most. They found this upsetting and some spoke of making more of an effort with the elderly in their neighbourhoods.”

For more information visit 1stethical.com.