Visit from Noahs ART

We have had the opportunity to offer animal therapy through Noahs ART in October 2023 and November 2023 with a third planned in for December. Noahs Art highlight the benefits of the human-animal bond to improve mental health and wellbeing across Greater Manchester. These sessions have been beautifully received by our members who have had the opportunity to experience something new and therapeutic to support their wellbeing.

Here is some feedback from our members:

"I cannot overemphasise how beneficial this session was for me and so many other members... the atmosphere was so calming and it was nice to see so many smiles together in one room! I was able to learn about and handle (play with) animals id not come across before (bearded dragon). It helped me to reconnect with the members id not seen for a while and meet new ones. I had some time away in hospital last year and it helped me to just get out and do something different. I really hope this is something that could become more of a permanent fixture as i think the others could also really benefit from animal therapy. The staff / volunteers were fabulous and knowledgeable about the pets as well as patient and encouraging when people may have been apprehensive about some of the pets. Thank you it was really enjoyable and helped me in so many ways."

​"I think this session was brilliant, it does have a positive effect on my self and my mental wellbeing. It has helped me to get out of my comfort zone and meet new people as well as animals"

"I cant thank you enough, Im so emotional today has been the happiest day in my life for years. Wonderful, fantastic, im so overwhelmed. Playing with the gorgeous Zeke, stroking him, doing his tricks with him and then asking him for a kiss and he licked my face i was in heaven . It made my day and im so grateful to everyone involved. I met the bearded dragon and a guinea pig - but meeting Zeke was the highlight. I really hope it can continue as it would help my mental health and help me to cope until I can hopefully have a dog of my own again. Its shown me that dogs truly give me a reason for living"

As the Service Delivery Manager here at the Creative Living Centre, seeing the emotional impact on our members was incredibly rewarding. We work hard to offer a variety of therapies and wellbeing activities here at the centre, with person centred counselling, Music therapy, Art therapy, psychodrama and holistic therapy available. Animal Therapy is something we have wanted to explore for a while but needed to do some fundraising for. Luckily, we have been able to fund 3 sessions and would like to continue this again next year.

If you would be interested in supporting us to offer animal therapy to members in the future, or to support any of our other activities, please see our donations & fundraising page and how to help to the CLC.

Thank you for reading
Lorna
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