Residents (who the home fondly refers to as family members) living at Thistle Court Care Home recently experienced a visit that brought something a little different into the home. Two alpacas, Tolly and Murphy, arrived to spend time with everyone.
The visit was led by Steve from Bedrock Alpacas, who brought Tolly and Murphy along for their first visit to the home. Known for their gentle and calm temperament, the alpacas moved quietly through the home, creating moments of curiosity, engagement and calm wherever they went. Family members were given carrots to feed them and were encouraged to stroke them, taking time to connect at their own pace. Care was taken to ensure everyone could be involved, including family members being cared for in bed. The alpacas visited all areas of the home, moving between rooms and even navigating the stairs, allowing the experience to be shared by everyone rather than limited to a single space.
Steve cares for around 20 alpacas, alongside a range of other animals including donkeys, Shetland ponies and pygmy goats. For this first visit to Thistle Court, he chose Tolly and Murphy for their calm nature and familiarity with new environments. After seeing the response from family members and team members, plans are already being discussed for future visits, with the possibility of bringing more animal’s next time.
What stood out most during the visit was not just the novelty of the animals, but the response they prompted. Smiles appeared and conversations followed as family members watched, touched and fed the alpacas. For some, it became a shared topic of conversation long after the visit had ended; for others, it was simply the calm presence of the animals that brought comfort.
At Thistle Court, activities are not seen as something planned or scheduled to fit a timetable. They are a continuation of everyday life, the familiar routines and moments that bring comfort, purpose and connection. Whether that is folding laundry, tending to the garden, sharing a cup of tea, or welcoming animals into the home, it is often these small, unplanned moments that matter most.
These are the moments the team refer to as magic moments, the times when someone feels connected, familiar and valued without needing to be prompted or directed. By allowing experiences like this to unfold naturally and reach everyone, the home continues to support a sense of belonging, shared experience and emotional safety. It is these ordinary, human moments that help Thistle Court remain a place where people feel at home.
For more information about Thistle Court Care Home activities please visit Activities in Care – Thistle Court Care Home