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Wellness Wednesdays at New Forest Nursing Home

At New Forest Nursing Home in Fritham, Hampshire, our mission is to promote resident well-being in all its forms. That’s why our “Wellness Wednesdays” are such a hit – they offer a variety of activities designed to keep minds and bodies active and spirits high. This week, however, Wellness Wednesdays took on a whole new level of adorable with the introduction of a special guest therapist – Umber, a trainee therapy dog!

Spreading joy, one wag at a time

Umber, a furry ambassador of love and cuddles, brought a wave of joy to New Forest Nursing Home. This friendly pup, still in training to become a certified therapy dog, stole the hearts of all the residents with his playful demeanor and gentle spirit.

Creating special bonds

Umber’s visit wasn’t just about playful greetings and tail wags. He developed a particularly heartwarming connection with resident Heather. Umber made himself right at home on Heather’s bed, enjoying a session of snuggles and gentle pats. This heartwarming moment perfectly captured the magic of animal therapy – the power of unconditional love and companionship to bring comfort and joy.

The benefits of animal therapy

Studies have shown that interacting with animals can have a range of positive effects on well-being. From reducing stress and anxiety to promoting relaxation and socialization, animal therapy offers a unique and powerful approach to wellness. Umber’s visit provided a glimpse into the potential benefits of this therapy for our residents.

Looking forward to more wags

Umber’s visit to New Forest Nursing Home was a resounding success! The residents thoroughly enjoyed his company, and we look forward to welcoming him back as he continues his therapy dog training.

Thinking of care for a loved one?

At New Forest Nursing Home, we believe in fostering a warm and enriching environment that prioritizes resident well-being. We are constantly exploring innovative approaches like animal therapy to enhance the lives of our residents.

If you’re looking for a care home that offers a variety of activities and goes the extra mile for its residents, look no further than New Forest Nursing Home. We invite you to contact us today to learn more about our care services and philosophy.

Catherine
Sales Manager

Catherine has worked in sales and marketing her whole career, after graduating with a degree in Textile Management she worked in Corporate Workwear for many years. Catherine’s first role in the care sector was working with a disability charity that ran nursing homes and enablement projects for young adults.

Catherine

While her two children were younger, she joined her husband in his estate agency, but was delighted to return to the care sector in 2020 and now cannot imagine doing anything else.

Catherine’s role with Allegra is to support residents and their families as they explore care options. Working with the teams in the individual homes she ensures that during every stage from initial enquiry through to moving in with us every question is answered, and we offer the reassurance needed for the next chapter in our resident’s life. It is important for our residents to remain part of the community in which will have lived for years, often all their lives, so the other part of this role is connecting with local community groups, charities and organisations.

Catherine has said that working for Allegra with their groundbreaking household model means we are offering a home with compassion and care whilst ensuring residents are retaining their independence and quality of life.

Out of work Catherine enjoys baking and gardening The children are older now, but still keep her busy!

Paul Thomas
Regional Manager - Western Region

Paul has joined Allegra Care with 28 years’ experience in the health and social care sector including working in senior leadership roles for the last 18 years; covering operations, business management and quality assurance. Paul has a real passion for person centred care and how that is delivered at the highest level.

Allegra Team Paul Thomas

Paul has worked across a diverse sector over his time in health and social care and brings a wealth of experience to his new role as Regional Manager. Paul believes in integrating real and meaningful values and culture into a service and in doing so, delivering the outcomes for the people we support. Paul goes by the theory of values with no meaning, have no value.

Outside of work, Paul is the father of three boys and a 2nd degree black belt who teaches Judo.