Freckle the lamb brings joy to people with dementia

Residents at a County Durham care home have adopted a cuddly lamb.

Freckle regularly visits Raby Cottage, part of Bondcare’ s Willington Care Village, and has his own special pen in the garden.

He joined residents as they celebrated Dementia Awareness Week, which took place from 19 May until 25 May. Toffee the cocker spaniel and her puppy Sky also visited the home for the day.

Julie Gray, manager at Raby Cottage, said: “Our residents really enjoy the visits from the animals, especially the companionship and interaction that they bring, which is known to have a soothing and comforting effect.

“Although our residents have learning difficulties, other residents at the Care Village are living with dementia, so we wanted to do something special to show our support to them. We decided that adopting Freckle was a fantastic way to mark Dementia Awareness Week. Caring for Freckle means that our residents have that little bit more independence and responsibility and fitted perfectly with our aim for Dementia Awareness Week, which was to remember the person behind the condition.

“We would like to say a big thank you to Deborah Foster who brings Freckle to visit the residents.”