Sandfields takes the reins with racecourse visit

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Aug 10, 2018

Sandfields surprised residents with a trip to Cheltenham Racecourse, courtesy of the Riding for the Disabled Association.

Residents at Sandfields were delighted to spend the day exploring all Cheltenham Racecourse has to offer – including getting up close with some four-legged friends. 

Riding for the Disabled (RDA) provide sensory experiences with horses and ponies, and the special day trip saw residents enjoy a sensory walk alongside the ponies. Residents then spent time at a beach area, as well as mucking in with the gardening and petting the PAT (Pets as Therapy) dogs.

Vera Ford, a 100-year-old resident at Sandfields, said: “It was a wonderful day with so much to do, it reminded me of being back on the farm I grew up on. The ponies were lovely and calm, it was fantastic to be up close with the kind of animals I looked after in my youth.”

Dorothy Pye, Care UK manager, at Sandfields, said: “The RDA helped us to organise a truly memorable day, it was lovely to give the residents the opportunity to interact with the gentle creatures. 

“Being in the company of animals and engaging with them has proven mental and physical benefits – particularly for those living with dementia – and it was great to see first-hand the impact simple activities like this can have on the wellbeing and happiness of older people.”