Care award wins for HenPower

HenPower is ruffling feathers in the care sector as it triumphs with two top awards.

Our HenPower pilot with the Whiddon Group in Australia has been named among the winners of the Better Practice Awards.

Set up in 2015 it was the first time our pioneering initiative had been trialled overseas. And bringing chooks and creativity to people living in care and with dementia is proving a hit down under.

The project, which aims to combat loneliness and improve wellbeing, is up and running in Whiddon Group venues based in regional, rural and remote New South Wales.

Talking about HenPower a spokesman for the Whiddon Group said: “Results from our four projects show residents experienced a greater sense of purpose and responsibility from caring for the hens and undertaking regular daily chores. There were also benefits experienced to both physical and mental health.”

Back in the UK and care provider Orchard Care is seeing fantastic results after bringing regular arts activities and hens to a number of its care homes across the UK.

This autumn its efforts to improve the wellbeing of residents were recognised when its work with Equal Arts saw it win the Best Collaborative Arts Project (Performance), in the Patient Experience Class of the national Building Better Healthcare Awards.

Highlighting the benefits of HenPower, judges said: “This really does seem to be engaging residents and getting people outside. It is a great example of linking meaningful activity for care home residents to the creation of art.”

Tracey Tomlinson, Director of Customer Experience, said “We are delighted that the project has been recognised within such a high profile industry environment.

“We have seen the positive impact of the hens and the associated art and creative sessions on the residents and their families, but also on the carers and staff. This is a diverse and innovative project that has really brought many homes to life. We’re confident that the hens make a great addition to our homes and plan to continue to add them to new homes.”