Chorley retirement village introduces emotional support chickens

A retirement village in Lancashire has welcomed a flock of chickens to its home as part of its innovative, person-centred approach to care.

The exciting initiative aims to enrich the lives of residents at Buckshaw Retirement Village in Chorley by bringing a touch of nature and nostalgia into their daily routines.

The chickens have been donated primary school teacher, Mrs Claire Harrison, who was involved in a recent chicken hatching programme at her school, St. Paul’s C of E Primary School in Walkden.

The coop has been donated by team manager Jo Bamford. The arrival of the chickens is highly anticipated especially for those residents who have a background in farming.

The emotional support chickens are set to bring numerous benefits to residents from fostering a sense of community to helping to reduce stress and anxiety by providing therapeutic interaction with nature.

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Hayley Rowson de Vares, the manager at Buckshaw Retirement Village, said: "Claire’s generosity has created a wonderful opportunity for our village.

"The chickens will be placed centrally in our garden, becoming a vibrant hub of activity once the chicks are mature enough and the weather is suitable for their outdoor living.

"Caring and spending time with the chickens will be a beautiful reminder of the past for many who recall their own families keeping chickens."

One of the care workers is leading a chicken naming project and organising a coopopening party, inviting everyone, residents, their relatives and staff, to embrace the theme by dressing as ‘funky chickens’.