Resettled refugees meet the 'woolly army' at Alpacaly Ever After

Once in the company of the four-legged friends at Cumbria's Alpacaly Ever After, the immense strain the refugees who have fled war zones in Syria, Afghanistan and Iraq, began to fade away. 

The expressions on the faces of the group, whose ages ranged from 18 months to 42 years old, changed and large smiles appeared on their faces as they fed, stroked and hugged the animals. 

One remarkable feature of the trip is that most of the refugees were able to drive themselves to Alpacaly Ever After's new basecamp in the North Lakes. 

All thanks to the Minutes for Miles programme that enables resettled refugees to pass their UK driving tests, ultimately helping them secure employment and establish themselves within Cumbria's community.  

The outing was made possible by a generous donation from Alpacaly Ever After, the organisation which re-homes and breeds alpacas. 

READ MORE: A year on for resettled Afghans in Carlisle

Young girl takes to feeding the alpacas. (Image: Abigail Mann)

One ten-year old girl from Afghanistan left the farm clutching balls of alpaca wool and a pair of knitting needles, determined to learn how to knit a scarf out of the wool - as gifted to her by Emma Kate Smalley, MD of Alpacaly Ever After.

Emma said: "It is always a pleasure to welcome refugees to meet the woolly army. Particularly this year at our new basecamp site where we have the facilities and space to look after larger groups. Watching the alpacas interact in their usual delightful way with the families is always the most rewarding part of the work we do as a social enterprise. 

"The alpacas are such wonderful creatures to spend time with, particularly for people who have been through trauma. They have a special kind of curiosity and whimsical nature that brings people into the moment.

"We are extremely grateful to all the people who come take part in our activities and donate to our work, as it allows us to facilitate amazing interactions like this one - we look forward to welcoming the refugees again," she said. 

Organiser Abigail Mann said: "It was heart-warming to witness how these refugees who have come from war-torn countries have been so generously welcomed by the people of Cumbria.

"As a result, the refugees are integrating within the Cumbrian community and building new and successful futures for themselves and their families."

READ MORE: Services available to help Carlisle residents as we go through the cost-of-living crisis