Old people in care homes in London are being given hens to look after to stop them feeling lonely （孤单）.
The project was dreamed up by a local charity （慈善组织） to help these old people feel less lonely and improve their wellbeing.
It is also a way to help patients with serious illness of the mind.Workers in care homes have reported a reduction （减少） in the use of medicine where hens are in use.
Among those old people who take part in the project is 80﹣year﹣old Ruth Xavier.She said： "I used to keep hens when I was younger and had to prepare their breakfast each morning before I went to school."
"I like the project a lot.I am down there in the morning letting the hens out and down there again at night to see they've gone to bed.
"It's good to do something different.People have been bringing their children in to see the hens and the old ones come and sit outside to watch them.I'm enjoying the fun activities，and it feels great to do something useful."
There are now 700 old people looking after hens in 20 care homes in the North East，and the charity has been given money to spread it countrywide.
Wendy Wilson，care manager at 60 Penfold Street，one of the first to begin the project（利益） and fun the project can bring to people here."
Lynn Lewis，director of Notting Hill Pathways，said： "We are happy to be taking part in the project.It will really help put people here together through a shared interest and fun activities."
