Pioneering HenPower project launched in London

An innovative hen-based project connecting older people with hens to aid social isolation has launched in London.

The £1m project is establishing itself in Hammersmith and Westminster after beginning life in the North East where it was first piloted.

HenPower was awarded Big Lottery funding in June 2014 and is supported by Mayor of London, Boris Johnson. He said: “HenPower is an innovative way to help tackle loneliness and enhance the lives of older Londoners. The capital’s older population is growing and it’s great that Londoners will now have the opportunity to take part in this valuable scheme.”

The scheme, established by creative charity, Equal Arts, was created to use hen-keeping to ease social isolation, reduce depression and improve the well-being of older people living in the North East. Further benefits of HenPower include a reduction in the amount of anti-psychotic medication administered to residents within care facilities.

Notting Hill Housing will oversee the Equal Arts project for residents at two of its care settings. Director of Notting Hill Pathways, Lynn Lewis, said: “We are delighted to be taking part in HenPower and proud to be the first extra care schemes in London working with Equal Arts on the project. It will really help connect our residents through a shared interest and creative activities.

“To be able to launch HenPower at two schemes and celebrate the work of our residents at Elmgrove and Penfold Street makes the launch extra special.”

Wendy Wilson, extra care manager at 60 Penfold Street, said: “Residents have really embraced the idea of HenPower and the creative sessions. It gives us the opportunity for stimulating activities to engage people using our dementia unit, day service users and tenants. We are looking forward to the benefits and fun the project can bring to those involved.”

Hen-keeping will allow those living at venues across the city to participate in artist-led creative activities and interact with their local communities and schools.

Hen-Power supports more than 700 residents across more than 20 care homes in North East England and London is the next step to taking the scheme nationwide.

Director of Equal Arts, Douglas Hunter, said: “To see HenPower taking off in Notting Hill Housing venues is testament to the difference this simple idea can have on people’s well-being, no matter where they are in the country.

“It gives people a role and responsibility and residents can be involved as much as they wish. HenPower moves away from passive care you so often see in care settings and harnesses people’s imagination and interests to empower themselves.”

Known as ‘hensioners’, the older people taking part in HenPower have the chance to become regular volunteers, sharing their knowledge and enthusiasm for the project with schools, care settings and community events in form of Hen Road Shows.

One resident taking part in the project is 80 year old Ruth Xavier. She said: “I used to keep hens when I was younger and had to prepare their breakfast each morning before I went to school.

“I like the project a lot. I am down there in my wheelchair in the morning letting the hens out and there last thing at night to see they’ve gone to bed. It’s good to have a different focus, people have been bringing their children in to see the hens and residents come and sit outside to watch them. I’m enjoying the creative activities, it is something different to do.”

Early this year, the Prime Minister, David Cameron recognised Alan Richards – a retired taxi driver from Gateshead and one of the first hensioners. Mr Richards was given a Points of Light award for his work with Hen-Power. Mr Cameron said: “The quirky HenPower project has a serious impact, reducing the depression and loneliness that residents can sometimes feel.”