Former farmer delighted as care home adopts piglets

A care home in Southampton has adopted two piglets to help a new resident and former farmer settle into retired life.

81-year-old Tony Alford moved to Knights’ Grove Bupa Care Home in December after developing dementia. He lived on a farm for most of his life and adored being outdoors and caring for a variety of animals.

Alongside his dairy cows, Tony used to buy new forest ponies at auction, which he taught his daughters to ride. He fondly recalls one of his favourites being a retired cart horse called Monkey, who was a much valued and loved member of his family. He also adored looking after his large white pigs, and although he had numerous pigs throughout his life, Tony’s childhood favourite was a ginger-coloured pig he called Doris. Knights’ Grove home manager, Claudia Carvell, and dementia lead for Bupa Care Services, Fran Vandelli, had the idea of adopting some animals to help Tony feel more at home and connected to his roots. After some research, they found a farm in Winchester who were looking to rehome some Kunekune pigs, which would have otherwise been slaughtered. Given Tony’s past, they thought these piglets would be perfect additions to the home.

Once they were granted permission from Defra (the Department for Environment, Food, and Rural Affairs) to adopt and keep the pigs, they built an outdoor pen with lots of straw and enclosed garden paddock, which the staff and residents refer to as ‘The Pig Palace.’

As they grow bigger, residents can visit them outside, where the piglets are regularly groomed. Residents are able to help with grooming and feeding the piglets and even get stuck in with some mucking out. When Tony first met the new litter, he gravitated towards the ginger and black piglet, which he named Doris.

Tony’s daughter, Rachel Witts, commented: “I can’t believe how innovative the home has been. The pigs take my dad right back to his childhood. My sisters and I saw an immediate change in him after the piglets arrived. It has given him some responsibility and given him something to look forward to. We can’t thank the team at Knights’ Grove enough.”

Claudia Carvell, Home Manager at Knights’ Grove Bupa Care Home, commented: “Every morning Tony is ready and waiting with his coat on to go see the pigs. He helps us feed them and gives our carers advice on how to look after them. We have seen a massive difference in him since the piglets arrived – his face just lights up when he sees them and he keeps saying ‘I love ‘em!’ the staff also love having the pigs and we have a pig rota, so everyone knows when it’s their turn to care for them.” Not only are the pigs great for Tony and the mental wellbeing of other residents, but the home is looking forward to the sustainable benefits they will bring.

Otis Cope, Chef Manager and registered keeper of the pigs, commented: “Although you have to be careful what pigs eat and follow guidelines, we can minimise food waste by giving the pigs potato peelings and they love cherry tomatoes. Pigs don’t create a massive amount of waste, but we are planning to compost the manure and make it available to our gardening club and anyone else who would like some.”

Otis concluded: “I have my own animals at home, so I was thrilled to be asked to play a part in caring for the piglets. I have registered the pigs with a local vet to do regular visits, I’ve also made sure they are wormed and vaccinated. I am even training them to follow a bucket for food, to make sure they’re well behaved.”

Knights’ Grove Bupa Care Home is situated in Southampton and welcomes residents living with dementia. For further information, please visit https://www.bupa.co.uk/care-services

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