HenPower Launch with Equal Arts at Tye Green Lodge

An inspirational project tackling loneliness among older people and those living with dementia has moved into a care setting in Harlow.

Creative ageing charity Equal Arts has teamed up with Tye Green Lodge to bring its award-winning HenPower project to residents and staff.

First piloted in the North East, the project combines hens and creativity to reduce loneliness and improve the wellbeing of older people and those living with dementia.

Residents in their 80s and 90s at the Quantum Care-run venue have spent the past few weeks getting to know their feathered neighbours and taking part in weekly creative sessions.

Led by Equal Arts’ HenPower Associate Sarah Bracey, the group have been creating fabric bunting, wooden tiles for the garden pergola and taking part in singing and dancing with children from William Martin Junior School.

It’s been a busy time for residents who, alongside looking after their new neighbours, have been planning the creative activities they’d like to explore with professional artists and local schoolchildren.

The 12-month project, entitled Tye Green’s Tasty Tasters, aims to bring people together and help build strong relationships across the community.

It’s been made possible after funding of £10,000 from National Lottery’s Awards for All fund.

Karen Olizzi, interim home manager, said: “This is a fantastic opportunity that will bring great benefits to residents throughout the year. The hens living here have made a huge difference to life at Tye Green Lodge. Staff and residents are spending more time outdoors enjoying hens, there’s a real energy. This is supported by the creative activities we have each week. Pupils from the local school are joining us and learning alongside the residents. It’s a win win situation for us all.”

Residents and staff invited the community to join them on 20th April for the official launch of HenPower with live music, creative sessions and a chance to meet the hens.

Douglas Hunter, Equal Arts co-director, said: “Residents at Tye Green Lodge join the thousands across the UK who benefit from HenPower and the creative opportunities it brings. It’s fantastic to welcome them to the HenPower community. HenPower provides people living in care with a role and responsibility. It builds relationships and harnesses people’s imagination and interests to empower themselves.”

Anyone interested in volunteering with HenPower in the Essex area can ring 0191 477 5775 or email information@equal arts.org.uk

Following a successful pilot in Tyne and Wear in 2012, Equal Arts received Big Lottery Funding of £1m to roll HenPower out across the UK.

It currently supports residents in more than 50 care settings with projects in areas including the North East, Yorkshire North London, Hertfordshire and Cambridgeshire.

For more information about the project or to get involved visit www.equalarts.org.uk/henpower