Egg-cellent companions: How chickens are brightening days at Hft Wadebridge
A weekly visit from a much-loved flock is helping people relax, learn new skills, and connect through animal care
A family of feathered visitors have been making themselves at home at Hft’s resource centre in Wadebridge.
Chickens, owned by support worker Becky, are regular visitors to the day opportunity service.
The chickens have their own coop and run in the gardens and are looked after during the day by those who attend the service who have set up a ‘chicken club’.
Becky, who owns a smallholding, teaches individuals supported at the centre about different aspects of farming and gives them tips on how to look after animals.
The Peking Bantam chickens – Midnight, Vicky, Duffy, Lemony Snippet, Dusty Springfield and Yang are regular visitors.
Becky said: “We sit and chat about the chickens and the people we support help with tasks including making sure they have plenty of food and water.
“Not only does it increase people’s understanding of how to look after animals, it’s great for mindfulness and many of the people we support find being around them a very calming experience.”
Anne is a member of the ‘chicken club,’ and regularly spends time with them in the garden.
“I particularly like giving them a cuddle,” said Anne.
“It makes me feel calm when I stroke them and I like being around animals.
“It’s also really exciting when we go out to the coop and find one of them has laid an egg.”
The photography club which runs at the resource centre has also been involved with the chicken club – taking pictures of their feathered friends for their portfolios.
Owning a pet of their own is something that learning disabled people often struggle to have due to living in residential settings or having tenancies that don’t allow animals.
Research carried out by Hft found that many people with learning disabilities would like to have their own pet to support their emotional wellbeing, but face barriers that can prevent this.
“We love having the chickens here,” said Anne. “We look forward to when they arrive each week.”
