An innovative project combining hens, creativity and heritage arrives in Darlington for the first time

HenPower is heading to Darlington this summer with a community-wide project celebrating the town’s heritage.

Thanks to new funding our project will link up with care settings and schools in the County Durham town to help breakdown stereotypes and build relationships.

Supported by Equal Arts, children and older people will take part in weekly creative activities led by professional artists, exploring life in the town through the decades and sharing experiences.

Those gearing up to be henergised through heritage include Ted Fletcher Court - a sheltered housing scheme run by Darlington Borough Council - Rydale Care Home and Beaumont Hill Academy, part of the Education Village Academy Trust.

Coun Paul Howell, Cabinet Member for Leisure and Local Government at Darlington Borough Council, said: “Loneliness and dementia are two significant challenges facing society, this innovative approach is very welcome, and I look forward to seeing how it develops, hopefully the results will be eggstraordinary!”

The project aims to build confidence and strengthen a sense of place among those taking part, with cross-generational workshops in ceramics, painting and poetry. There’ll be visits to the Hippodrome, the Market Square and Head of Steam to spark conversations about what it means to live in Darlington.

Our HenPower Associate Rosi Thornton will be supporting the project. She said: “It’s fantastic to be able to bring the benefits of our HenPower project to people living in Darlington.

“The hens, sharing experiences and learning alongside each other all prove a great catalyst to help people of different ages build friendships and make lasting links within their community.”

The £16,500 project will culminate with a community exhibition and has been largely funded by Community Foundation serving Tyne & Wear and Northumberland, iWill Fund, Creative Darlington and participating venues.

Karen Gilbey, scheme manager at Ted Fletcher Court, said: “We’re looking forward to being part of the award-winning HenPower project. We’ll soon be welcoming our hens and, of course, a daily supply of fresh eggs!

“Exploring Darlington’s heritage will be interesting and I’m sure there will be plenty of stories to share.”

Pauline Oakley is manager at Rydale Care Home run by Minster Care Group, she said: “We’re raring to go and can’t wait for the HenPower heritage project to enhance the lives of residents.”