Project uses chickens to cross generational divide

AN “astounding” project using chickens to bring together young people in care and care home residents has been hailed with a top award.

Care charity Kibble has been awarded the Digital Innovation award by Generations Working Together for its HenPower project.

The scheme brings together young people at Kibble and the older generation in community care homes by having them look after ex-battery hens.

The young people worked with residents at local Spiers Care Home at weekly face-to-face sessions before the pandemic.

These included caring for the hens on-site at Kibble’s therapeutic Forest View School in Lochwinnoch, as well as art and music sessions.

But when lockdown hit, project lead Rhona Dorrington used technology to make sure the young people and elderly residents could still enjoy time together.

Using tablets and mobile phones, children at Kibble’s Forest View campus were able to continue joining Spiers’ elderly residents for virtual visits with the hens.

Kibble supports young people who have faced trauma and adversity, providing therapeutic care and education for those aged five to 25.

Rhona said: “The power of the relationships built between the young people and the elderly residents is astounding. It is about establishing a bond with each other based on love and care, about being seen, and knowing that they are not forgotten.”

Alison Ravandi, Home Manager at Spiers Care Home, said: “The youngsters have worked hard and been very welcoming.”