A Bedford charity has launched a campaign to combat loneliness among care home residents with the help of robotic pets.
Friends for Life aims to improve the loneliness and well-being of Bedford’s care home residents by gifting the life-like animals.
They move and purr in response to the residents’ touch and have shown a significant reduction in agitation and social isolation, improving residents’ quality of life and showing a decrease in loneliness.
The campaign has so far enabled 11 of Bedford’s care homes residents, at risk of loneliness, to have a new companion of their very own.
Charles Little from accountancy firm, Keens Shay Keens, has been the first business in Bedford to donate to the campaign and even delivered the first five robopets himself to Salvete Care Home.
Additional robopets have been delivered to Crossways and Lillibet House and they are all settling in well with their new owners.
Louise Binding, Deputy Manager of Salvete Care Home said: “The robocats are a wonderful addition to Salvete Care Home. They have brought great interest and delight to all that come into contact with them.
“It is amazing to see how our residents respond to them and they have been particularly valuable to one resident who has sensory impairment that relies on touch for stimulation.
“We cannot thank Charles Little or Friends For Life enough for providing our residents with the robocats. I hope that other Homes will have the opportunity to reap the benefits that these adorable cats give”.
George, a local care home resident has started to make a good connection with his new pet, who he has named Amy after one of the carers. When asked how he feels about his cat, George said: “I really like her. She sits beside me in bed and gives me comfort, particularly when I don’t feel well.”
Charlie Fay is leading the campaign and is now looking for other local businesses and schools to take part in supporting Bedford’s care home residents.
“Seeing the impact these pets are having on residents is such a huge privilege,” said Charlie.
“You can see residents light up when they are with them and the immediate calm, joy and comfort that stroking a pet can bring.
“At a time when a lot of us have experienced social isolation to some degree, looking after those who continue to face this on a day-to-day basis is more important than ever.
“This last year has had a huge impact on our care homes and it would be so fantastic to have other businesses and schools involved with our campaign to reach as many residents as possible at such a crucial time.”
Could your school or organisation hold a fundraising event, or are you a business that could help Friends for Life to reach more care home residents at risk of loneliness? If so, please contact Charlie by emailing charlie@friendsforlifebeford.org.uk.
You can support the campaign by donating to their Virgin Money page here.
