1 February 2012
Animal therapy for the elderly
City of London’s City Bridge Trust – which uses surpluses from
the City bridges to help London good causes - has given The Mayhew
Animal Home £75,000 to fund a new scheme to provide residents of
local care homes in London with therapeutic ‘animal visits’.
The outreach project, which will provide residents living with
conditions such as dementia, Alzheimer’s, and depression the
opportunity to spend time with some of The Mayhew’s animal
residents, will provide a great feeling of comfort to many. Touch
is one of the last senses to be affected for those suffering with
Alzheimer’s, and can therefore be very therapeutic. For those who
show little in the way of communication, it can help confidence as
well as provide companionship.
Billy Dove MBE JP, Chairman of the City of London Corporation’s
City Bridge Trust Committee said:
- “City Bridge Trust is delighted to support this project. As
most care homes do not allow animals, the scheme will provide a
wonderful opportunity for the residents to reap the benefits of pet
companionship. Nurses and care workers report that stroking and
spending time with a pet has had a positive impact on residents
with dementia.”
Mayhew Animal Home, based in North West London is a leading care
and rescue centre, saving thousands of animals per year.
Caroline Yates, Chief Executive of Mayhew Animal Home said:
- “Although we identified this need a few years ago, we have
lacked the resources to respond to the number of requests from
local homes and care centres. With this grant we can now make a
larger and more permanent project and improve the quality of life
for older people living with dementia and Alzheimer’s.”
Last year the City’s City Bridge Trust made 228 grants to London
charities, totalling £16.8milion and between 1995 and 2011 it
granted over £250 million to London charities.
The Trust’s origins can be traced back to 1097 when William
Rufus, second son of William the Conqueror, raised a special tax to
help repair the wooden London bridge. In 1176 the first stone
bridge across the river Thames began and that bridge, with its 19
arches, was completed 33 years later in 1209.
Ends
Notes to editors
- Press enquiries:
Nick McClelland, City of London Corporation
T 020 7332 1754
Email
nicholas.mcclelland@cityoflondon.gov.uk
Mayhew Animal Home
Sarah Dickinson
Media and Communications Manager
T 020 8968 2443
Email
Sarah@mayhewanimalhome.org
Stewart Goshawk, City Bridge Trust, City of London
Corporation
T 020 7332 3712
Email
stewart.goshawk@cityoflondon.gov.uk
- About the City of London Corporation:
The City of London Corporation is a uniquely diverse organisation.
It supports and promotes the City as the world leader in
international finance and business services and provides local
services and policing for those working in, living in and visiting
the Square Mile. It also provides valued services to London and the
nation. These include the Barbican Centre and the Guildhall School
of Music & Drama; the Guildhall Library and Art Gallery and
London Metropolitan Archive; a range of education provision
(including three City Academies); five Thames bridges (including
Tower Bridge and the Millennium Bridge); the Central Criminal Court
at Old Bailey; over 10,000 acres of open spaces (including
Hampstead Heath and Epping Forest), and three wholesale food
markets. It is also London’s Port Health Authority and runs the
Animal Reception Centre at Heathrow. It works in partnership with
neighbouring boroughs on the regeneration of surrounding areas and
the City Bridge Trust, which it oversees, donates more than £15m to
charity annually.
- The City Bridge Trust:
The City Bridge Trust is London’s largest independent grant-making
trust, and its sole trustee is the City of London Corporation.
Through grant-making and strategic initiatives, the City Bridge
Trust works closely with voluntary groups and charities to reduce
disadvantage in London. The City Bridge Trust was set up in 1995 as
the grant making arm of Bridge House Estates whose original purpose
was to maintain the first stone bridge across the River Thames –
London Bridge. Its funds date from the 12th century when tolls were
first charged. www.citybridgetrust.org.uk/
- Mayhew Animal Home:
The Mayhew Animal Home was established in 1886 for the benefit of
“the lost and starving dogs and cats of London so that they should
have sanctuary from the cold inhumanity they are being dealt
outside”. Today, The Mayhew is one of the busiest animal
sanctuaries in London, rescuing thousands of animals from cruelty
and neglect each year. We provide shelter and care for cats, dogs,
rabbits and when the need arises, for a wide variety of other
animals. www.mayhewanimalhome.org/