Feathered friends visit Francis Court care home

Home news

Feb 03, 2016

Birds and wildlife of all shapes and sizes were spotted at Francis Court care home in Copthorne near Crawley last weekend, as part of the annual RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch.

Residents at the care home on Borers Arms Road welcomed wildlife to bird-friendly habitats, which they have been tending to for 12 months after taking part in the Birdwatch in 2015. Compared to the results of last year’s count, the home noticed a marked increase in the number of birds coming into the garden, thanks to residents’ involvement in creating dedicated wildlife areas with bird boxes and feeders.

The annual Birdwatch was part of a programme of activities at Francis Court designed to help residents to experience all the sensory benefits of the great outdoors.

Karen Davies, customer relations manager at Francis Court, explained: “As well as helping to support an important national initiative from the RSPB, the Birdwatch also provided an excellent opportunity for nature-loving residents to either spend time in the garden listening to bird song or to spot visiting birds and wildlife from the comfort of our lounge overlooking the garden.

“At Francis Court we support residents to participate in outdoor and sensory activities as they can boost emotional and physical wellbeing, and help residents to live meaningful and fulfilled lives.  The birdwatch also proved to be a valuable reminiscence activity for those living with dementia, and everyone enjoyed spotting and naming the many bird and wildlife species which paid us a visit over the weekend.”

As well as keeping a record of the number and types of birds coming into the garden during a one hour period for the RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch, the home also welcomed representatives from The Hawking Centre who visited with birds of prey, giving residents the opportunity to take a closer look at different species of birds such as owls and hawks.

For more information on the benefits of getting outdoors for people living with dementia, and practical advice for family carers, pick up a copy on Care UK’s Good To Go guide from Francis Court or download it at www.careuk.com/goodtogo.

To attract more birds to your garden why not try making your own bird food.  Visit www.careuk.com/birdwatch to download Care UK’s fat cake recipe and to see the many varied activities residents at Care UK homes have been enjoying as part of the RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch.

For more information on Francis Court please email customer relations manager, Karen Davies, at karen.davies@careuk.com.