Parris Lawn Residents Take A Walk On The Wild Side

When the team at Parris Lawn set up their Wishing Tree, residents responded with enthusiasm and some great ideas and as a result, two lucky individuals were treated to their own personal safari.

The Wishing Tree

The Wishing Tree lives by the window in Parris Lawn Care Home’s spacious reception area – a popular spot and the perfect location for the fig tree which bears a number of small tags, each with a wish written on it. Residents are encouraged to declare their wish for something that will feel special – perhaps revisiting a favourite place or activity or experiencing something completely new, which could be in the home or on a day trip out.

Zoo Time!

When it was discovered that both Pat and Albert were keen to pay a visit to the zoo, the wheels were put in motion for a trip to Drusillas Park, a small zoo just 20 minutes away by car. Pat wished for the zoo trip because loves the days when Pet Pals Therapy bring animals to meet residents at Parris Lawn. These animals are domesticated and strokable – for example, rabbits, kittens and guinea pigs – so a trip to the zoo was a step up and Pat was keen to be out in the fresh air seeing more exotic animals living their lives.

Parris Lawn Wellbeing team members, Simona and Nikki were thrilled to have been selected to accompany Pat and Albert and the group excitedly set off in a taxi to Drusiallas Park. It’s a friendly zoo, much loved by children, and boasts an impressive list of distinguished residents from all over the world including red pandas, porcupines, lemurs, meercats, sloths and capybaras.

Animal Magic for Pat and Albert

On arrival, Simona and Nikki took on the role of tour guides and did a great job navigating the zoo so that Pat and Albert saw as much as possible. Pat loved the monkeys and her face was a picture when she first saw a monkey pop out from behind a tree. Albert was a big fan of the penguins but also had a lot of fun in the dinosaur park, mockingly posing with a T-Rex, which made everyone laugh! Albert was a school teacher for many years and was happy to see groups of school children enjoying their trip to the zoo. He explained, “I have always found it fascinating and uplifting seeing the youth happy and care free. This really made my day”.

Along the way the group also admired the two-humped Bactrian camels, a cluster or vibrant pink Chilean flamingos, a stunning lynx and a giant anteater that lived up to its name! It was a fresh February day so although Pat and Albert were wrapped up warmly, their voyage of discovery had given them an appetite. Tea and cake in the zoo’s café was the perfect way to round off the visit.

Bringing Happiness to Parris Lawn Residents

Back at Parris Lawn, Pat and Albert enjoyed sharing their adventure story with their fellow residents, at lunchtime while Simona and Nickki also had great memories of the outing, especially being out and about in a different setting with residents where they were able to build bonds and learn more about them as the day went on.

Meanwhile, the Wishing Tree will continue to bear fruit in the shape of granted wishes, with the team aiming to bring to life two per month. Customer Relationship Manager, Jesse, explained, “Once a new resident arrives and has settled in at Parris Lawn, we ask them whether they have a wish so we can add it to the tree. We catch up regularly with our residents on this, just to see if they’ve had any more wonderful ideas – after all, residents’ requests are key to making sure we do the things that suit them best and bring them happiness”.

A Warm Welcome to Parris Lawn

Tucked away in the peaceful village of Ringmer near Lewes, Parris Lawn Care Home offers a calm and comforting environment with beautiful views over the South Downs. With individually styled rooms, each with an en-suite wet room, residents enjoy privacy and comfort tailored to their needs. Whether your loved one requires residential, nursing, dementia, or respite care, our compassionate team is here to provide personalised support every step of the way.

Residents can relax in our cosy cinema, socialise in the bistro café, or treat themselves to a fresh new look in the hair salon.

We invite you to book a private visit and see our home for yourself, call 01276 733 399

to book in today.