Care South’s Community Fund donates £900 to Purbeck animal charity

Residential and care at home provider and registered charity, Care South, has donated £900 to Purbeck Animal Assisted Learning Services (PAALS).

The good cause is the latest beneficiary of Care South’s Community Fund, which gives back to community groups, services and organisations which directly benefit Care South’s care home residents, care at home clients or staff.

Purbeck Animal Assisted Learning Services aims to provide a nurturing and inclusive environment where people of all ages can thrive through the healing power of nature and animals with unique, hands-on experiences available to visitors.

Residents from Dorset House care home in Hamworthy and other homes run by not-for-profit charity, Care South, have taken trips out to visit the therapy farm where they have been able to meet a range of horses, goats, sheep and pigs.

Care South’s Community Fund donation was presented to Cheryl Dennett, who runs Purbeck Animal Assisted Learning Services by Simon Bird, CEO of Care South and Charlotte Mitchell, Lifestyle and Activities Lead at Care South, alongside residents and the team at Dorset House care home.

Cheryl said: “We are so grateful to Care South for this generous donation. Our work is all about improving wellbeing through meaningful connections with animals and nature. It is wonderful to see the way the residents’ faces light up as soon as they see the animals and then they talk about how relaxed they feel as they stroke and brush our horses. The support from Care South helps us continue to offer these experiences to people of all ages and abilities.”

Simon Bird, CEO of Care South, said: “We are delighted to support Cheryl and the team at Purbeck Animal Assisted Learning Services through our Community Fund. Our residents have had wonderful experiences at the farm, and it is clear to see the joy and comfort that interaction with animals brings them. At Care South, we are keen to help residents engage with their local community, and as many of them love animals, this is a perfect activity for them to enjoy.”

Dorset House care home provides residential, respite, and dementia care to residents. A dedicated activities team which organises a daily programme of events to bring residents together to socialise and build friendships.