Residents at a Crewe care village are welcoming the arrival of newborn feathered friends just in time for Easter. After much anticipation, five baby chicks are now calling Belong on Brookhouse Drive their first home after they hatched into the world earlier this week.

Since then, the fluffy additions have quickly forged close relationships with Belong Crewe’s older residents, including those living with dementia, who have been supported in nurturing the chicks by feeding them, watching them play in their pen, and providing lots of cuddles. 

Resident, Doreen Kelly, said: “Before today, I didn’t think I would ever hold a baby chick – this has been a marvellous experience!”

Jess Butler, experience coordinator at Belong Crewe, also commented: “It’s been a very exciting time, awaiting the chicks’ arrival and now they’re here, our customers are loving looking after them, with their visiting grandchildren getting involved, too – it’s proven to be a wonderful wellbeing initiative for everyone.” 

The pet therapy has been made possible thanks to Incredible Eggs, an ethical provider of hatching kits, with Belong Crewe’s colleagues providing around-the-clock care, before adopting them after Easter and moving them to their ‘forever homes’. 

Other activities in the run-up to Easter include crafts and games, and the village is currently awash with colour, with daffodils planted by the ‘Belong in Bloom’ in-house gardening club. Kind-hearted residents and colleagues have also donated a bundle of Easter eggs to St. Paul’s Pantry (also known as Crewe Food Bank). Rounding off the weekend, a special visit from nearby St. Andrew’s Church will lead the Easter Sunday service and Holy Communion.

Jess Butler continued: “We’re pleased to have been able to spread so much Easter joy. The chicks have provided lots of comfort and happiness and we expect they’ll be the talk of the town for quite some time.”