Winchester care home Brendoncare St Giles View recently enjoyed a visit from two special guests. 

Widget and Pringle, two Humboldt penguins, visited the care home's salon where they were given a bit of a pampering as well as taking the lift to see residents, relatives, and colleagues. 

It was the first time the penguins had visited St Giles View, but they did pop into Brendoncare Otterbourne Hill just before Christmas.

Gillian Buxton, wellbeing coordinator, said: “We were all so looking forward to the visit from the penguins and they did not disappoint us.

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“We were amazed at the way they hopped into the lift and took all their meeting and greeting all in their stride.

“Our residents and colleagues absolutely adored giving them a hug. Some of our residents who were with us at Park Road met Widget and Pringle two Christmases ago but enjoyed meeting them again.

“However, for some of the other residents, this is probably the first time in their lives they have met a penguin. It is a day none of us will forget for a long time. Thank you to Amazing Animals for bringing them on this visit.” 

Brendoncare St Giles View opened last year. It provides care for 60 residents and is Brendoncare’s first care home in Winchester to offer both dementia and nursing care.