Community joins care home residents for a paw-some day in Chingford

Residents and team members from Care UK’s Ivy Grove, on Hatch Lane, were joined by relatives, the community, and their furry friends when they hosted a special dog walk at Higham’s Park.

Hosted at the dog-friendly Humphry’s Café, the event saw everyone come together to enjoy a scenic walk through the park with eight pet pooches in tow. The café also offered homemade dog ice cream, much to the delight of the canine guests.

Keen for everyone to get involved, the large group attracted the attention of local dog walkers who joined in on the fun while getting to know residents and their relatives.

To mark the occasion, the team at Ivy Grove prepared special doggy goody bags, each containing treats, a toy, and a custom bandana featuring the home’s name as a keepsake to remember the day.

Commenting on the day, Ivy Grove resident Richard Hawe said: “I loved our day in the park. The weather was lovely, and everybody seemed to enjoy themselves. I especially enjoyed handing out the dog goody bags and seeing how excited the dogs were to play with their new toys."

Jacob Mante, General Manager at Ivy Grove said: “Our dog walking event was a success and a fantastic opportunity for residents to enjoy the outdoors and connect with the local Chingford community.

“At Ivy Grove, we understand the positive impact that interacting with animals and being part of community events can have on residents’ wellbeing. Our dog walk not only provided an opportunity for physical exercise but also uplifted spirits while fostering a sense of togetherness among everyone involved.

“We’re so grateful to Humphry's Café for their hospitality and to everyone who participated. The smiles on the residents’ faces were truly heartwarming, and it was great to see the joy that the dogs brought to everyone involved. We look forward to creating more memories with our furry friends as we head into autumn!”

Designed to enable residents to live active and fulfilled lives, while also promoting independence, Ivy Grove incorporates space for hobby and leisure activities. The layout of the building has been configured to help facilitate the creation of close-knit communities and encourage social interaction among residents.