Gateway launches 'Furry Tales' Partnership
Gateway Housing Association teams up with Stepney City Farm ‘Furry Tales’ project, which runs activities with animals for older adults in Tower Hamlets.
‘Furry Tales’ will visit all sheltered accommodation schemes managed by Gateway, so residents can meet the animals in the comfort of their homes.
Gateway Housing Association and Stepney City Farm have entered into a partnership to bring their ‘Furry Tales’ project to the homes of Gateway’s sheltered residents. Residents in Gateway’s 13 sheltered schemes will have the chance to meet the animals at home. Everyone who wants to can enjoy the animals in a relaxed environment.
‘Furry Tales’ is an innovative project run by Stepney City Farm which provides activities for older adults involving contact with animals. Participants can handle, groom and feed animals such as guinea pigs, rabbits and chickens. Contact with animals is thought to reduce loneliness and improve physical, emotional and social well-being in older adults.
Gateway Housing Association is the largest provider of sheltered accommodation in Tower Hamlets. This type of housing is designed for people who are over 55 years of age. Sheltered housing provides a secure environment where residents have privacy in their own homes, and also have the opportunity to socialise with neighbours at organised events and activities.
Kate Dodsworth, Chief Executive of Gateway, said “‘Furry Tales’ is a fantastic project and I’m delighted that all our sheltered residents can now benefit from it.
“It’s great to forge a partnership with a forward thinking local organization to benefit our older community”.
Jane Plimmer, Furry Tales On Site Lead, said: “I’m thrilled to start this new partnership with Gateway and I’m confident their older residents will benefit from the ‘Furry Tales’ activities.
“We find that many participants develop new relationships with each other as well as engaging with the animals. These positive connections generate confidence and boost well-being, resulting in considerable benefits for the local community”.
Stepney City Farm is a three acre working farm in the heart of Tower Hamlets. The farm gives children and adults a chance to meet farm animals, learn how to grow food and try out arts and crafts. The farm is free to all visitors.