Pets

According to a survey conducted by PETA in 2021, 51% of UK adults own a pet, including 9.6 million dogs and 10.7 million cats. It’s therefore unsurprising that pets feature heavily in call companion conversations and regularly join your tea parties.

Family animals are a great topic of conversation. Perhaps your dog, cat, parrot, bearded dragon, likes to join you when you are on the phone to your older person, in which case we would love to see a photograph – you can either tag us in your social media posts, or email us at comms@re-engage.co.uk. You might want to reminisce about previous animal companions and their place in family legend. My Nan would often recount the story of her black Labrador, Puppo, and his habit of diving into the water when my grandfather was fishing, regularly sending him apoplectic - the image of this made us laugh every time.

We’re often asked by potential tea party hosts if having a pet will prohibit them from hosting – the simple answer is no. Although in the host checklist we do ask hosts to check with their coordinator if any of the older people or volunteers due to attend their tea party are nervous of, or allergic to, pets.

We know that many tea party guests love the fact that their host has a pet that comes to say hello. Studies have shown there are significant mental health benefits to interacting with animals and just patting a pet can reduce stress and lower blood pressure.

Care homes are organising events where their residents have the opportunity to meet all kinds of animals and birds, including dogs, guinea pigs, owls, snakes and even ponies and donkeys. Whilst we are not suggesting that you try and bring a horse into your lounge, as it would spell disaster for your best china, we would love you to share photos of pets interacting with older guests and volunteers by either tagging us in your social media posts, or emailing us at comms@re-engage.co.uk.

Anyone for tennis?

Wimbledon gets underway on 21^st June – if you and your guest enjoy tennis, this can make a great topic of conversation and perhaps some of our activity groups will be trying a soft ball version? 

Tea party groups could even have a get together to watch some tennis and maybe enjoy some strawberries and cream.

It’s important that you don’t feel like organising a tea party on a Sunday afternoon is your only option. You might want to try a different day and perhaps make it a get together to watch a popular event.

If you have any tips for conversation topics, or innovative tea party ideas then please get in touch at comms@re-engage.co.uk so we  can share them in future editions.