8:35AM, Sat Jun 23, 2012

Gateshead Charity Arts Group Uses Chickens To Help Dementia Sufferers

By Jenny Wotherspoon Location: Birtley

Chickens to brighten up lives of dementia sufferers

A charity arts group from Gateshead is using chickens to help brighten up the lives of dementia suffers at a care home in Birtley.

Equal Arts has introduced five chickens of different breeds to the Shadon House care home, which is run by Gateshead Council.

People suffering from dementia are helping with a range of tasks including feeding the chickens and collecting their eggs.

The activities will help keep residents both mentally and physically stimulated which is an important part of delaying the effects of the disease.

The arts group have also used the chicken theme to inspire other creative work with the group, including painting images of chickens for a mural to display by the coop.

The idea was initially developed to help a couple living in Sandon House - who used to keep chickens - maintain a connection with their former life.

Staff at the care home said it had also helped some residents deal with having to leave their own pets behind when they entered the home.

The arts group has secured funding to continue the project in Gateshead, which will include the building of custom made chicken coops at Sandon House.