A NEW breed of “hensioners” are reaping the rewards of living with chickens.

It’s proving so popular that the HenPower initiative, currently adopted by residents in four Gateshead supported living schemes, is set to be rolled out to five other venues in the next month, with hopes to replicate it across the country from Scotland down to London.

Jos Forester-Melville, a self-proclaimed “henologist” working with charity Equal Arts, said: “Some people live in supported housing but are not engaged with others around them. There are plenty of activities, often geared at woman such as bingo and knitting groups, but we wanted something that would provide men as well with something with more depth than a weekly game of darts.

“Living independently in supported housing can be a positive experience.

“For some people it can be very unsettling. They go from living in their family home with their husband or wife, who then pass away.

“More often than not, it is decided by someone else that they’d be better living in supported housing and so have to down-scale, losing lots of their possessions and furniture as well as a loved one and moving from their community.

“It can be a long grieving process, but with this scheme we hope to show that living in supported accommodation can be a positive experience.”

Jos was at Wood Green in Woodgate Gardens, Bill Quay, yesterday helping residents dip their hens to rid them of mites, something traditionally done twice a year on Valentine’s Day and Bonfire Night. She said: “At Wood Green, they now have eight hens and were involved right from the start researching the different breeds. They wanted a social breed they could handle and also helped select the type of hen house.

“Now they are hoping to have up to 20 hens in the next few months.

“Often, older people will say they won’t take on a cat or dog as it is too much responsibility, but with HenPower, which is an innovative project, that responsibility is shared.

“We’ve now had interest from people in other parts of the country wanting to get involved and set up the scheme where they are living. It is really exciting that something which was originated in Gateshead will be rolled out.”

To reach as many people as possible, Jos and Equal Arts are in the process of developing online advice about how to set up the HenPower scheme in their sheltered accommodation.

For more information, visit http://henpowerblog.wordpress.com/about/ or contact Equal Arts on 0191 477 5775.