Friendly penguin duo slides into Witney care home for a flapping good time

Home news

Feb 26, 2020

A resident was given the surprise of her life when two friendly penguins arrived at her care home.

Jean, an 85-year-old resident at Care UK’s Millers Grange in Witney, told her care team her greatest wish was to see penguins, so they immediately set to work to make it happen for her birthday – although she was not expecting to see them so close to home.  

The visit was part of the home’s ‘Wishing Tree’ Initiative, which encourages residents to put wishes forward, allowing them to reconnect with a past hobby or try something completely new – from flying on a plane to enjoying a fish and chip supper, no wish is too big or small.

Jean was amazed when the hand-reared Humboldt penguins, Pringle and Charlie, waddled into the home. She was delighted to be able to get up close with the penguins, stroking and even feeding them. A lifelong animal lover, penguins are a firm favourite and having them visit for her birthday was the icing on the cake.

The penguins were brought into the home by Amazing Animals, and are friendly, relaxed and used to human contact. They live in a specially constructed enclosure, including a swimming pool, pebbled beach and penguin house at Heythrop Zoo, and are kept together in a breeding group to ensure regular social interactions.

Originating from South America, the animals are used to warm weather and can adjust to different environments. The penguins regularly meet new people and attend workshops and educational talks all around the UK, which aim to raise the general public’s awareness of conservation matters.

Jean, a resident at Millers Grange, said: “It was the best birthday ever” and her daughter, who also enjoyed the special celebration, commented: “[The penguins] were an incredible experience for mum to have had. Looking back at the photos, the look on her face is wonderful, [it’s] something all of us will treasure.”

Jim Macleod, customer relations manager at Millers Grange, said: “We don’t accept that life at a care home has to be a particular way - we ensure there are no limitations to activities residents pursue and help all residents to lead independent, fulfilling lives, however they choose.

“We were really excited to make a birthday wish come true for Jean, as she has always talked about penguins with a passion. It was wonderful to see her face light up as they waddled in.

“It was a fantastic day that we will all remember for a long time.”

Millers Grange provides full-time residential and dementia care. With 52 ensuite bedrooms, it has been designed to deliver the very best standards of care to enable residents to live active and fulfilled lives, while also promoting independence. It also features space for hobby and leisure activities and includes its own cinema, hairdressing salon and café.

To find out more about Millers Grange, please call customer relations manager, Jim McLeod, on 01993 764730 or email james.macleod@careuk.com

For more general information, please visit careuk.com/millers-grange

To find out more about the Wishing Tree initiative, please visit careuk.com/wishing-trees