Wood End Alpacas tour Bank Hall & Pendle Brook!

Bank Hall Care Home in Burnley and Pendle Brook Care Home in Oswaldtwistle were visited on Wednesday 23rd March by some very furry guests! The team from Wood End Alpacas brought Hamilton and Paddington, two very well behaved young alpacas, to the homes to visit the ladies and gentlemen who live there and spread some joy.

The sun was shining, perfect for the guests of honour to meet residents and staff in the outside spaces at each home while enjoying some fresh air too.

We believe that having things to look forward to and a sense of purpose is very important, and we help people get the most from each day in whatever way is most appropriate for them. With this in mind, we have a regular schedule of activities on offer, designed to keep the people we support entertained and engaged.

Activities often include crafts, baking, gardening, massage and beauty treatments, gentle exercise classes, reading/sewing groups and trips into the local community, and occasionally, extra special visits from alpacas!

Wood End Alpacas are based in the beautiful countryside of the Hodder Valley and specialise in unique alpaca meet and greets and assisted activities in and around the Lancashire area. Animals often have therapeutic benefits for the people living in a care setting, helping to reduce stress and depression, reduce loneliness and encourage social interaction.

Claire Rothwell, Activities Coordinator at Pendle Brook, who organised the visit said it was “fabulous to see so many people enjoying the visit from the alpacas, really getting involved and interacting with them in the sunshine” and commented that “the animals had such a positive effect on so many of the people we care for. I’m thrilled there were so many smiling faces and even some happy tears!”

Many people living in our care homes have missed out on connecting with their family and community during COVID and have often felt quite isolated. The visit from Hamilton and Paddington was a very welcome experience for the ladies and gentlemen living at both Pendle Brook and Bank Hall and we hoped the alpacas had as much fun as we did!