Our care home residents’ harvest collection gives back to animals that bring them so much joy

Our residents and team members have been busy celebrating the harvest season by giving back to the furred and feathered friends in their community.

Here, at Brooklands Care Home in Drayton, we collected donations throughout September, for a cause close to our hearts, Hallswood Animal Sanctuary – our chosen charity of the year. Residents, our team members, visitors and families joined in by filling a crate in the reception area with items the sanctuary needs most.

The animal sanctuary has a close relationship with our home and the residents loved welcoming the animals during our community BBQ in the summer. They were delighted to have the animals revisit to collect their harvest gifts especially taking a shine to Tilly the miniature pony. Our residents also loved having cuddles with Nutmeg the fluffy chicken who was polite enough to wear socks to meet everyone.

Having moved into Brooklands earlier this year resident Janet Ellis, 87, from Beccles, felt strongly about giving back to the animals during the harvest celebrations.

“You should always accept animals otherwise you’re not living properly,” she said. Reflecting on harvests from years gone by, she added, “Farmers were very competitive and neighbours would often criticise each other’s vegetables!”

Goods collected for the animals included towels, blankets, cat and dog biscuits, tinned food, hay, rabbit food and wood shavings. Events held at here at Brooklands have so far raised £350 for the sanctuary.

Alongside the animal goods, our residents also collected items for Norwich Food bank and with the help of the our dedicated team carefully packed up food and toiletries delivering them to the food bank in the home’s minibus.

Resident John Martin, 91, who has lived in the local area for most of his life was excited to be giving back to the community he grew up in. Our festivities brought back fond memories of past harvest festivals.

“When I was a kiddie, we used to go out there, picking crops such as wheat and I used to stack them up,” he said. “The farmers built haystacks and they used to make it look like a little house for us.”

Our 64-bedroom home on Costessey Lane, offers high-quality residential, nursing and specialist dementia care and is known for its community spirit. We have recently become a Finalist in the East of England region of the Great British Care Awards 2025 for the Putting People First Award and we pride ourselves on embracing individuality and honouring each resident’s unique needs, as well as championing an inclusive culture focused on abilities rather than limitations.

Laure Van Minden, our lifestyle lead said, “We love the fact we had two donation crates in our reception at the same time and that we are honouring both humans and animals during this harvest season. Many of our residents grew up in the countryside so animals have always been a key part of their lives.

“The residents love interacting with the animals and it was lovely to have them back again. We made an occasion of it and invited friends, family members and loved ones along too.

“Our residents become very expressive and communicative during the animal visits. The animals are fantastic with them and it’s quite incredible to see the difference they make. They give us so much so it’s lovely to be able to give back to them this harvest.”

Lyz Hall from Hallswood Animal Sanctuary said, “All our animals are rescue animals and are carefully chosen for the visits to make sure they are enjoying it as well. All the ones that visit love the fuss and attention they get! Animals can really help to reduce isolation, and they can reach people on different levels, it’s very special to witness the impact they have.

“It’s heartwarming that the residents and team at Brooklands want to help us and the animals. It’s amazing when people are so open and caring, and all these small differences make a much better world.

“Actions like these remind us that we’re all part of a community and how important it is to build those connections – with people and animals!”