Hens and creativity take over Brook House in Greenwich

Our newest hensioners will be introducing their feathered friends to the community this week at their summer fair.

This summer residents and staff at Brook House Care Home in the Borough of Greenwich, have become the latest members of the HenPower project.

Alongside caring for their hens residents take part in weekly artist-led sessions which see them exploring visual arts, textiles, dance, gardening and music.

Douglas Hunter, Equal Arts co-director, said: “HenPower gives people a role and responsibility, it is not just 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 the enthusiasm with which residents and staff at Brook House have embraced the project, which positively engages with residents and their relatives.”

On July 28 Brook House, off Thamesmere Drive in Thamesmead, will host an afternoon of creativity for families and residents with a petting zoo, musicians, magicians, games, stalls, tombola and BBQ.

The event between 2pm and 4pm will also be an opportunity for residents to showcase the artwork they have been working on these past few months, and share their ‘henthusiasm’ for the creative project.

Lorraine Burns, Brook House Activity Coordinator, added: “We have so much planned for the day, with entertainment, folk singers, the residents have even been making ‘Heñatas’.

“The summer fête is open to the whole community and we are all looking forward to sharing residents’ artwork and showing how the project is benefiting people.”

Brook House Care Home is run by Lifestyle Care Home in partnership with Orchard Care Homes, and is the latest home to join the HenPower project, now in over eight of its homes.

Currently supporting more than 1,000 residents in over 20 North East care homes, the project has also launched in Leeds, Nottinghamshire, Southend, Bristol and Brighton.

To find out more about the project and Equal Arts click here.