Belong transformed its Crewe care village into a mini-farm for the day, playing host for a special meet-and-greet afternoon with animals from all over the world.  

Swiss Valais blacknose sheep, Chinese Silkie chickens and Pygmy goats joined the Brookhouse Drive community, as did miniature Shetland ponies, French Lop rabbis and hairless guinea pigs.

Belong customers petted the creatures, finding out all about them, and in some cases, took on the role of looking after them.  

Belong Crewe's Jeanne Barry makes news friends (Belong Crewe).

Belong Crewe resident, Alf, said: "Having animals in our home is not something you see every day, so it's a real surprise and we enjoy it."  

The session was arranged by the village's experience team as part of its monthly B's Memory Cafe, supported by Crewe Town Council.

The service invites local people living with dementia and their loved ones to enjoy a complimentary activity and the chance to speak with a specialist dementia Admiral Nurse in conjunction with Dementia UK.  

Mobile Farm Cheshire was called upon to facilitate the animal assisted therapy, with Belong Crewe's residents and tenants invited to try something new, forge friendships, and enjoy a sense of camaraderie looking after their guests.   

Experience coordinator at Belong Crewe, Jessica Butler, told Nub News: "Animal therapy provides the opportunity to socialise without the need to engage in conversation, so our customers with little or no verbal communication could join in too.

"It gave them a sense of companionship whilst offering mental stimulation, they really got a lot out of it.  

The mini-farm session was arranged by Belong Crewe's experience team as part of its monthly B's Memory Cafe, supported by Crewe Town Council (Ryan Parker).

"What a wonderful afternoon our customers have had. The session was a hit, and everyone left with big smiles and happy hearts.

"We look forward to welcoming our new animal friends back soon."   

The next B's Memory Cafe sessions take place 18 March and 15 April at Belong Crewe. For more information and to book a place, call 01270 508700 or email [email protected]. 

READ MORE: New funding to help deliver 'lasting change' for Cheshire East's rough sleepers.

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