Residents at Paisley Lodge Care Home in Armley enjoyed a nostalgic day at the seaside without leaving the comfort of their home.
The day had all the ingredients of a classic trip to the coast, from beach games and ice creams to a traditional fish and chip dinner, with two very special visitors providing the biggest surprise.
Jeffrey, a 30-year-old donkey originally from the USA, and Bullseye, a 15-year-old Shetland pony, arrived at the home with their handlers from Rigmore Reindeer in Ripon.
The four-legged visitors were an instant hit, with residents getting the chance to get up close, stroke them and feed them carrots, while sharing memories of seaside holidays and days out from years gone by.
Residents also got into the spirit of the seaside with a selection of traditional games, including beach-ball catch and beanbag throwing, with plenty of friendly competition and laughter along the way.
Craig Chatburn, Home Manager at Paisley Lodge, said: “Experiences like this can be incredibly meaningful for people living with dementia and mental health conditions. They can stimulate memories, encourage conversation and create opportunities for people to connect with one another.”
The team arranged a surprise visit from a local ice cream van, serving residents and colleagues classic 99s topped with a Flake.
Sponsored content
