HenPower making new friends in Nottinghamshire

We have a new brood of hensioners down in Nottinghamshire!

Its the first time the project using hens and creativity has set up in the county and were delighted to welcome staff and residents at Clipstone Hall and Lodge to the flock.

We have teamed up with Orchard Care Homes once again to bring our award-winning £1m project to older people living in Mansfield.

HenPower Nottingham officially launched on Friday with a creative morning of activities, music and, of course, some new feathered friends.

Douglas Hunter, Equal Arts co-director, said: “HenPower gives people a role and responsibility, it is not hen-therapy but about building relationships. HenPower moves away from passive care you so often see in care settings and harnesses people’s imagination and interests to empower themselves.

"It is fantastic to see Orchard Care taking on the project with such enthusiasm, bringing the benefits to more people and positively engaging with residents and their relatives."

HenPower uses hens as a catalyst for creative activities with staff and residents. By taking part in artist-led sessions residents can start to form relationships with schools and their communities and develop their own hen-keeping community within the home.

Phil Whitaker, operations director for Orchard Care Homes, said: “We’re delighted to be launching a new HenPower project, the first here in Nottinghamshire.

"We have seen such a positive impact in our other homes in Leeds and the North East that we have been keen to roll this out further within our other homes.

"The staff at Clipstone have been keen to get involved for some time and we know they have some really enthusiastic residents poised to get hands-on. We’re confident the hens will make a great addition to the home."

Recent guidelines from the National Institute of Clinical of Excellence (NICE) focus on improving the mental welling and independence of people aged 65 and older. Recommendations include providing group-based activities focusing on creativity such as singing, arts and crafts.