Larkrise Care Centre in Banbury, part of not-for-profit care provider The Orders of St John Care Trust (OSJCT), has proudly supported the UK animal welfare charity Blue Cross through a generous donation of essential pet supplies, reflecting the home’s strong values of compassion, community, and wellbeing.

The donation included cat and dog food, treats, toys, and collars, all generously contributed by residents, relatives, and colleagues. Animal welfare is a cause that strongly resonates within the home, where animals and pet therapy play a meaningful role in everyday life.

At Larkrise, interaction with animals is a key focus, particularly for residents living with dementia. Animal-assisted activities are known to provide comfort, reduce anxiety, and encourage positive emotional responses. For many residents, time spent with animals can help spark memories, stimulate conversation, and promote a sense of calm and connection. These interactions often support improved mood, reduce feelings of isolation, and encourage meaningful engagement, all of which are central to person-centred dementia care.

Home Manager Catherine Howse said:
“We decided to donate to the Blue Cross to give back to the community in a different way. There is a strong love of animals at Larkrise, and as we often support food banks for people, we wanted to do something for animals too. It was wonderful to see how grateful the Blue Cross team in Burford were, and knowing our donation will help animals in need means a great deal to everyone here.”

The initiative reflects the home’s commitment to wellbeing in its widest sense, recognising the positive and lasting impact animals can have on people’s lives, particularly those living with dementia. Supporting the Blue Cross was seen as a natural extension of this ethos.

Jade Wise, Activity Coordinator at Larkrise, added:
“Animals play a really important role in our activity programme, especially for residents living with dementia. Interacting with animals can bring comfort, spark memories, and create moments of joy and connection that are incredibly meaningful. Supporting the Blue Cross felt like a natural fit for us, and we’re looking forward to going bigger and better next year – watch this space!”

Following the success of the donation, Larkrise hopes to make this a regular initiative as part of its ongoing community engagement, continuing to celebrate the powerful role animals play in supporting wellbeing, connection, and quality of life.