Residents at HC-One’s Ashbourne Lodge Care Home in Sunderland, Tyne and Wear, have been lending a helping hand to local wildlife as winter temperatures drop, inspired by the RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch.
With colder weather making it more difficult for birds to find food, residents decided to take action by creating homemade bird feeders to support their “little feathered friends”. Using simple materials including bird seed, peanut butter, cardboard tubes and string, residents Marie, Bronwyn, Margret and Cathy worked together to make nutritious bird treats to help birds through the winter months.
The activity also helped residents learn more about the importance of feeding birds at this time of year, particularly as part of the RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch, which encourages people across the UK to support and observe garden birds while contributing to a nationwide wildlife survey.
After dinner, residents enjoyed a gentle walk to nearby Backhouse Park. Accompanied by residents Cathy, Audrey, Maureen and Bronwyn, the group hung the bird feeders around the park, ready for birds to enjoy. Residents then returned to the warmth of Ashbourne Lodge for a well-earned cup of tea or coffee.
Claire Daley, Wellbeing Coordinator at Ashbourne Lodge Care Home, said:
“It was wonderful to see the residents come together to support local wildlife, especially with the RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch taking place. Making the feeders and taking a walk to hang them up gave everyone a real sense of purpose, and the residents loved knowing they were helping nature in their community.”
Ashbourne Lodge Care Home regularly provides meaningful activities that promote wellbeing, creativity and connection with the local community and environment.
For more information about Ashbourne Lodge care home, visit:
Ashbourne Lodge - Care Home in Sunderland | HC One.