Virtual hugs brighten the day
With the pandemic impacting their clients' mental health and well-being, the Hugs Foundation had to think on their feet. They knew they needed to continue to deliver their animal therapy service without face to face meetings, but how could they do it? After much deliberation, they decided to launch ‘Hugs TV’. ‘Hugs TV’ is now delivered twice a day via a live Facebook stream called’ A Daily Hug’. The live stream enables people to receive an update, fun facts, activities, challenges all based around the animals and farming life. It means the people they support can feel connected, engaged and a part of something positive. A beneficiary of the service commented, “During lock down everything I know had to stop. This made me feel anxious and worried. However, when Hugs started posting their live videos every day I started to see everything was ok. I like the fact it’s the same time every day and it's live so anything can happen. I really, really miss Hugs but the videos make me feel I'm not actually away and I look forward to them every day." Facebook insights indicate that they reached over 68,000 people with over 15,000 over just three months. We are pleased to have supported the Hugs Foundation with a grant of £4,200.
