Cairn Group

CREEPY CRAWLIES AND CREATURES VISIT NEWCASTLE CARE HOME RESIDENTS

23/03/2022

Newcastle’s Ashton Court Care Home had some unusual guests when Discovery Zoo brought some of its creepy crawlies and creatures to visit residents.

The home played host to snakes, tarantulas, rats and even a large millipede as part of the home’s ever evolving activities programme. Residents learned all about the creatures from Discovery Zoo’s Paul Fenwick before having a chance to hold the mixed menagerie.

This is the first time that Discovery Zoo has visited the home since the start of the Covid pandemic, having previously been regular guests. Guided interaction between animals and people has been proven to cause an automatic relaxation response, relieve symptoms of dementia and prevent feelings of isolation and loneliness.

Nikki Foggin, activities coordinator at Ashton Court Care Home, said: “Our residents have really enjoyed their unusual visitors, especially the snake, tarantula and millipede. They’re not something you usually see up in Newcastle and for some of our residents it was the first time seeing them in real life.

“Discovery Zoo did a great job introducing the creatures to residents and explaining how to hold them. Animal visits are always such a lift for our residents and it’s great to see them so excited.

“Stroking and holding the animals always puts a smile on our residents faces. It sparks their memories and I hear all about their previous pets or trips to the zoo with their families.

“The millipede was something not many of us had seen before. The sensation of all those legs on your skin is really weird, but its great sensory stimulation for our residents, especially those who have dementia.

“We’re always looking for activities to entertain our residents and really look forward to being able to do more now that restrictions are relaxed.”

Paul Fenwick from Discovery Zoo said: “We love visiting care homes and seeing how much joy it brings to residents. We have some unusual animals that get people really interested, as well as things like rabbits and gerbils that people may have had as pets themselves. They are great for reviving memories, although just sitting and stroking an animal can be very relaxing too.”

Located in Newcastle’s West End, Ashton Court has 42 en-suite rooms, and offers a host of on-site facilities including a hair dressing salon with a nail bar, a traditional ‘Ashton Arms’ pub, library, tea room and cinema room, with a shop for added convenience.

Ashton Court care home is operated by Solehawk, part of the Cairn Group of companies and rated as Good by the Care Quality Commission, independent regulator of all health and social care services in England.

ENDS

NEWS RELEASE: ISSUED ON BEHALF OF SOLEHAWK LTD

CONTACT: Caroline Walker on 01325 363436

Notes to editors:

Solehawk is a group of four care homes located in the North East of England. It has been providing residential, palliative, respite and dementia care and nursing services to residents since 1989.

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Images

Nikki Foggin from Ashton Court and Paul Fenwick of Discovery Zoo with residents John Cosgrove and Christine Parry
Nikki Foggin from Ashton Court and Paul Fenwick of Discovery Zoo with residents John Cosgrove and Christine Parry
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Resident Christine Parry
Resident Christine Parry
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Resident John Cosgrove
Resident John Cosgrove
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