FESTIVE CHEER AND FURRY FRIENDS BRING JOY TO SURREY CARE HOME

Festive cheer and furry friends bring joy to Surrey care home. The Royal Alfred Seafarers’ Society is celebrating the festive season at its Surrey-based care home, Belvedere House, with a lively calendar of Christmas activities, designed to lift spirits and encourage connections among residents.

This year’s highlights include the much-anticipated return of the Christmas ponies from Kingswood Shetlands and Friends, an animal therapy initiative proven to reduce anxiety and promote communication, especially for residents living with dementia. Alongside the pony visit, the home is also expecting a visit from therapy dog, Bailey.

Animal therapy is widely recognised for improving mood and offering comfort to older adults. Insights from APHP highlight how time spent with animals can lower levels of cortisol, the body’s primary stress hormone, leading to reduced stress and anxiety amongst residents. It has also been linked to improved confidence in communication and activities.

Alongside the animal visits, the home’s Christmas programme features a festive tribute performance of Doris Day by Doris Daydream, staff carol singing, a pamper session and a Dick Whittington pantomime by Rah Rah Theatre.

The home will also invite residents to take part in festive craft sessions, from designing snow globes and decorating gingerbread houses to making crackers for Christmas dinner. This offers residents and tenants a chance to laugh together, engage with their inner creativity, and produce personalised crafts they can feel proud of.

David Dominy, CEO of The Royal Alfred Seafarers’ Society, said:
“Christmas is a particularly important time for our residents and tenants, as it offers a chance to share joy, stories, and companionship. Our residents get so much enjoyment from the visiting ponies and other seasonal events, which provide comfort, spark conversation, and create wonderful memories.

“Our dedicated and experienced team works hard to make the season meaningful for everyone, ensuring each person can celebrate in a welcoming environment that feels like home. We are grateful to our staff and supporters as well as the families and relatives who help us make this season so special at Belvedere House.”

The Royal Alfred Seafarers’ Society is a registered charity, established in 1865. It provides nursing, respite, and dementia care at its modern care home, Belvedere House, to older seafarers, their loved ones, and residents from the local community with non-seafaring backgrounds.

For more information about the work of the Royal Alfred Seafarers Society, please visit the Facebook page or website.