Stroud care home makes resident’s wish come true with alpaca visit

 

A resident at a care home in Stroud was delighted when her wish to meet alpacas was made a reality.

When the team at Care UK’s Scarlet House, on Westward Road, learned that 78-year-old Elizabeth ‘Kate’ Corfield-Reid longed to see and feed alpacas, they were determined to make it happen.

Kate has never had the chance to see an alpaca but has always wanted to meet one in person as she’d heard about the softness of their coats and their sweet bleating sounds. 

To make it a day to remember, the team at Scarlet House welcomed alpacas Cosmo and Nigel from Cotswold Vale Alpaca Experience into the home. Kate had the opportunity to feed the alpacas, while their keeper shared details about their history, characteristics, and other interesting facts about the calming animals, known for their therapeutic benefits.

Commenting on the visit from the alpacas, Kate said: “I have absolutely loved meeting the Alpacas. My favourite bit was when they first walked in. They were everything I expected and more.”

The visit was part of Care UK’s wishing tree initiative, which encourages residents to put their wishes forward, allowing them to reconnect with a past hobby or try something completely new that they’ve always wanted to do – from flying on a plane to enjoying a fish and chip supper, no wish is too big or small.

Suzanne Tullett, Home Manager at Scarlet House, added: “Kate has been looking forward to seeing the alpacas after expressing her wish, so the team and I were overjoyed to have been able to arrange a visit from Cotswold Vale Alpaca Experience.

“Our wishing tree initiative is a great way for residents to share their dreams and interests, and it’s so rewarding to be able to make these a reality. Kate had a wonderful afternoon with the alpacas—they’re such calming and gentle animals, and she had a smile on her face the whole afternoon.

“I’d like to extend a big thank you to Cotswold Vale Alpaca Experience for helping make Kate’s wish come true!”

Scarlet House is a state-of-the-art care home which provides full-time residential, nursing, dementia, and short-term respite care. The care home incorporates space for hobby and leisure activities and includes its own cinema, hair salon and café.