Care Home Residents Enjoy Memorable Visit to Oaklands College Zoo

Oaklands College was delighted to welcome residents from Woodlands View Care Home in Stevenage and River Court Care Home in Watford for a heartwarming zoo visit at the College’s St Albans Campus.

The visit brought together residents, staff and students for a memorable day filled with animal encounters, learning opportunities and community connection.

On arrival, residents were warmly welcomed by members of the Oaklands College Marketing Team, alongside Ellie from the Animal Management department and T Level students Jacqui and Lucy, who supported and guided activities throughout the day. Their enthusiasm, care and knowledge helped create a positive and engaging experience for everyone involved.

During the visit, residents had the opportunity to meet and learn about a wide variety of animals and insects, including snakes, turtles, pigs, sheep, lambs, goats, owls, meerkats, rabbits, birds and spiders. Students provided insightful commentary throughout the tour, sharing their knowledge and answering questions, adding an educational element to the experience.

One of the standout moments of the day was the opportunity for residents to meet and interact with the baby lambs, which brought great joy to both residents and staff.

Feedback from attendees was overwhelmingly positive, with resident Barbara Creber sharing:

“Thank you, Oaklands. I’m so glad I was able to attend the visit. I’ve loved every second of it.”

The visit highlighted the importance of community engagement and the positive impact meaningful experiences can have across generations. Oaklands College is proud to continue creating opportunities that bring together students, local organisations and the wider community in such a positive and inspiring way.