Norwich care home residents’ have an egg-cellent start to spring at Brooklands Care Home in Drayton
Residents and team members enjoyed an egg-cellent start to spring after successfully hatching a goose and a duck egg and caring for their two new feathered friends.
The eggs were gifted to Brooklands Care Home in Drayton, Norwich, by Leanne Clarke, owner of The Quack Shack in Horsford, a rescue and rehabilitation sanctuary for ‘feathered friends’. Leanne is the daughter-in-law of resident Jill Clarke and a regular visitor to the home on Costessey Lane, which offers high-quality residential, nursing and specialist dementia care.
The eggs and incubator arrived at the home on the 18 March, hatched two weeks later and the home have been looking after them ever since. Resident Ann, 87, grew up with animals and formed a special bond with gosling Avii. “Being involved with the birds has made me very happy,” she said. “I love to cuddle Avii, who always falls asleep on my shoulder.
“When I was a little girl, we kept ducks, chickens and rabbits – I’ve always loved animals. I'm partially blind so it's been so special to feel the soft feathers of the little goose and how she nibbles my neck before she falls asleep.”
Residents named the gosling Avii and were all in agreement that the duckling should be called John, in memory of their friend and fellow resident who sadly passed away on the day the duckling hatched.
Leanne said: “I've loved sharing this experience with the residents and seeing how the birds have bonded with them. I’ve been visiting every day to check on the eggs and birds, keep them clean and tidy, and to help the residents enjoy them. They’ve all done a brilliant job in looking after them.
“Avii and John, will now return home with me and join my flock of 130 rescue ducks, 35 chickens, one turkey and a goose. I know the residents are planning to come and visit them soon and we look forward to seeing them.”
Laure Van Minden, lifestyle lead at Brooklands, said: “This has been such a great experience and we’re very grateful to Leanne for making it possible. Watching Avii and John hatch and grow has been really exciting.
“The residents have taken such good care of them, giving them lots of cuddles, attention and fuss – we’ve all been acting like their surrogate mothers.
“We love that they will now live nearby in such a great home and we’ll be arranging regular trips to go and see them.”
Brooklands Care Home marked the occasion by hosting a leaving party for the birds, with a magician and balloonist in attendance. Friends and family members were also invited to celebrate, and the VIPs - Avii and John - enjoyed plenty of cuddles and even walked around the home’s lounge, greeting people.
Jane Spry, the daughter of resident Jill Barlow, 93, said, “Mum has so enjoyed watching the gosling and duckling grow, and Halle, her great-granddaughter, couldn't wait to hold Avii at today's party. It's been lovely.”
The 64-bedroom home is known for its community spirit and last year, was named a finalist in the East of England region of the Great British Care Awards 2025 for the Putting People First category. The home prides itself on embracing individuality, honouring each resident’s unique needs as well as championing an inclusive culture focused on abilities rather than limitations.
Home manager, Julie Robinson said: “Having the birds from The Quack Shack has been a fantastic experience for residents and their visitors. It’s certainly been a real talking point in the home. Residents have loved sharing the experience with their grandchildren too.
“Leanne has been brilliant in supporting us throughout, she's a great friend of the home and we can't thank her enough.”