A woolly good time – Quorn care home welcomes a herd of unusual visitors

Residents at a care home in Quorn spent the afternoon in the company of several furry friends. 

Residents at Care UK’s Lonsdale Mews, on Farley Way, welcomed a trio of loveable alpacas, Coco, Guinevere and baby Non from Anstey Alpacas. 

Dedicated to ensuring a high level of care, Anstey Alpacas educate people about the fascinating animals – and to ensure maximum care and attention, they live in a small herd in the heart of Charnwood Forest.

 

The residents were able to interact with their new furry friends and feed them, as well as learn about their characteristics and how to care for the gentle creatures. 

Commenting on the experience, Sylvia, a resident at Lonsdale Mews said: “I’ve never seen alpacas before, so it was something very different for me and it was lovely to get to feed them too. They were so soft and gentle – I thoroughly enjoyed every minute of it!”

Toby Sturgess, Home Manager at Lonsdale Mews, added: “Here at Lonsdale Mews, we are always looking for new and exciting activities for residents to enjoy. 

“Animal therapy has proven to be incredibly beneficial for older people, as it can be calming, prompt conversations, and put a smile on everyone’s faces. Alpacas are known for being gentle animals, which makes them perfect for care home visits.  

“We’d like to say a big thank you to Anstey Alpacas for visiting us with Coco, Guinevere and baby Non – both the residents and team members certainly had a lovely time!” 

Lonsdale Mews offers full-time residential and dementia care, as well as short-term respite. The home incorporates space for hobby and leisure activities and includes its own cinema, hairdressing salon and café. The layout of the building is configured into a series of individual suites, each having a dedicated lounge/dining room to help facilitate the creation of close-knit communities.