Hatching new friendships at Framlingham care home

Home news

Apr 22, 2015

Residents and colleagues at Mills Meadow care home in Framlingham have been celebrating spring by nurturing and taking part in the special arrival of chicks at the home.

The chicks are part of a Living Eggs project funded by Care UK’s construction partner Castleoak, which is currently building the second half of Mills Meadow care home and an adjacent day club for older people living in their own homes locally.

The chicks will have a permanent new home at Mills Meadow as Castleoak is also providing a new outdoor hut for when the chickens are ready to leave their indoor brooder box.

Sue Hill, manager at Mills Meadow, said: “We have all really enjoyed incubating the eggs and it was especially exciting to watch the chicks hatch. The chicks have sparked a real interest in the home and many of the residents are keen to help feed and nurture the chicks, as well as regularly check on their progress.

“Hatching chicks and caring for chickens have calming and sensory benefits, especially for those living with dementia, as well as reminiscence for the many residents here who used to keep their own chickens. The project is something very special and we’re thankful to Castleoak for providing us with such a rewarding activity.”

The Living Eggs project at Mills Meadow is provided by Castleoak as a thank you to residents for their patience and understanding while the second phase of the new build is underway.

Phil Andrews, project director at Castleoak, said “The Living Eggs project is a great way for us to work alongside and support Care UK to deliver something special to the residents at Mills Meadow.”

Mills Meadow care home, on Fore Street in Framlingham, has been undergoing a complete redevelopment since November 2013, to enable residents to continue living on site throughout. Residents have now settled into the first half of their new home, which opened in October 2014, and will be joined by residents from Lehmann House care home in Wickham Market once the full redevelopment is complete in autumn 2015.