Marist College students putting smiles on the faces of Mercy Health Bethlehem residents

Year 10 student Olivia Harrower is one of the students who have been heading along to the aged care facility once a fortnight for the past three months.

"We play board games, we chat with them, and sometimes we decorate the place for special holidays and events," Ms Harrower said.

"They love talking about their grandchildren and what they used to do. It's really interesting to learn about how they grew up and that sort of thing.

Read more: Mercy Health Bethlehem enlists barnyard menagerie for pet therapy session

"It's obviously very different from how we've grown up. It's really fun to see what they used to do and how much it's changed."

Fellow Marist College student Jack Fry said he enjoyed spending time with the residents.

"It's great to see the looks on their faces," he said. "They're really happy and positive when you come to see them.

"You do all these activities for them and they just appreciate the time that you put into them."

Bethlehem leisure and lifestyle coordinator Kylie Paxton said the students provided additional support in the aged care facility.

"The Marist students are very versatile and follow instructions really well," she said. "I can have confidence in dividing them up and getting them involved in different activities which is really wonderful.

"With wheelchair walks on nice days, it gives the chance for all of the residents to go out into the sunshine and get some sensory stimulation. That's a real benefit to us because we don't have enough hands normally.

"So the students really give us that opportunity to get them out and that's a major benefit for us."

Have you signed up to the Bendigo Advertiser's daily newsletter and breaking news emails? You can register below and make sure you are up to date with everything that's happening in central Victoria.