Chambers supports local school with hen house

Pupils at Gosden House School are collecting eggs from their own chickens after Chambers provided the funds to set up the facility. Committed to supporting the local community, Chambers donated nearly £1,400 to the school after meeting staff at a Christmas fair.

The gift has supported the delivery of three former battery hens, supplied by Elysian Adventure at Westland Farm in Guildford, as well as a coop, run and set-up pack which includes food and bedding. Two of the hens are called Snowy and Lily and there will be a school competition to name the third.

Gosden House School is an ‘outstanding school’ which provides education for young people aged 4-16 with learning and additional needs. Staff are already planning to introduce more chickens to the school later in the year, and also hope to set up a small farm and provide animal care courses to the pupils.

Cindy O’Sullivan, head teacher at Gosden House School, said: “We can’t thank Emma and the team at Chambers enough for their donation. We have been fundraising for the last two years to buy some chickens, but when Emma approached us and asked us to put together a wish list of what we would like, I never expected she would offer to fund the whole project.

“Facilities such as the chicken keeping area are invaluable in offering our students a holistic learning experience that focuses on developing vocational and social skills as well as academic knowledge. The children and teachers love having the chickens on site, and are already using the eggs in food technology classes.”

Emma Chambers, finance director at Chambers Waste Management, said: “We are delighted to support Gosden House School in setting up their very own hen habitat.

“We have been searching for local projects to support for some time, and when I met staff at the school I felt this would be a great project to help with, encouraging students to develop skills in caring for animals, working as a team, and time management. We hope the facility brings the children and staff many hours of enjoyment.”

Elysian at Westland Farm provides animal assisted therapy for children. Therapeutic experiences like petting and caring for an animal can help a person’s mental, physical, social and emotional functioning. www.elysianatwestland.org

Gosden House School is also looking for volunteers to help maintain its allotment and gardens. For more details please contact the school on 01483 892008.