Residents At Stockton Care Home Welcome Hens To Their Home

Residents at Piper Court care home in Stockton have welcomed some cracking new guests to their home.

The care home has taken a delivery of eight hens and members of staff have prepared a pen in the garden where they can comfortably live.

The hens were provided by HenPower, a project managed by Equal Arts, a registered charity that aims to provide creative opportunities for older people. The project is funded through the BIG Lottery Fund Silver Dreams programme.

Organisers from HenPower are visiting the home to teach residents and members of staff how to care for the hens.

Many residents and their families grew up on farms and kept hens, so are well-accustomed with how to care for the new additions.

Based on Sycamore Way, Hardwick, Piper Court is a purpose-built care home that provides nursing care for up to 60 elderly residents.

Tracy Hicks, Manager at Piper Court, said: “We are always trying to think of beneficial activities that are a little bit different and stimulating for our residents and the hens have been a great addition to our home.

“The residents are really enjoying having their new guests at Piper Court and the hens have proved to be very friendly. Many residents have grown up on farms, so having the hens at the home is re-kindling lots of happy memories for them and looking after the hens means that our residents have that little bit more independence and responsibility.”