Here’s to the hen power
ANTI-LONELINESS PROJECT IS IN THE RUNNING FOR A PRIDE OF BRITAIN AWARD
Reporter A PIONEERING Tyneside scheme is in the running for a Pride of Britain award for helping older people combat loneliness and depression – by keeping hens.
HenPower was set up in Gateshead in 2011 by the Equal Arts Charity in an effort to use hen-keeping as a form of therapy to improve the well-being of older people.
People involved in the project have been hatching eggs and raising chicks, as well as bridging the generation gap by taking the feathered friends into schools around the North.
Now the group has been named as a finalist for a Pride of Britain TSB Community Partner award.
The announcement was made at a star-studded ceremony at The Speaker’s House at the House of Commons, on Wednesday. Douglas Hunter, co-director of the charity, said: “We are really proud to be winners of the North East round and to go through to the final.
“We are proud of the project as a whole and for the people involved, including the henshioners!”
He said the scheme was helping to inspire scores of older people in the region and supporting those who may be lonely or vulnerable.
He added: “It is life-changing for people and it’s so simple. We have sons and daughters telling us about the impact it is having on their mums and dads.”
Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn, Communities Secretary Sajid Javid and Lib Dem leader Sir Vince Cable joined scores of politicians from all parties and TV stars at the reception in London.
Carol Vorderman, who has presented the awards since they started 18 years ago, welcomed the regional finalists. She said: “Pride of Britain winners are the unsung heroes that make Britain a great place. It’s a privilege to be joined by some fantastic community champions from all over Britain.”
Celebrities who attended included Denise Welch, Ben Shepherd, Angela Rippon, Fiona Phillips, Nick Ferrari, Kate Garaway, Katie Piper, EastEnders’ Nitin Ganatra and Olympic rowing gold medallist James Cracknell.
The Mirror’s Pride of Britain Awards is the biggest national event of its kind and is broadcast every year on ITV. The ceremony will be held later this month.
It recognises ordinary people who do extraordinary things, including children who have overcome aweinspiring challenges, those who have risked themselves to save others and everyday heroes who have transformed the lives of the people around them.