Bristol care home residents help create beer in wellbeing project

Care home residents have enjoyed the first taste of a beer brewed from the hops they harvested to improve their wellbeing.

The residents, who all live in Bristol, cared for the crops that were planted in the gardens of their homes, before being turned into a pale ale called Backyard Bounty, which is set to go on sale at local pubs.

The scheme, called the Hoppiness Project, was funded by the University of Bristol as part of research into improving older peoples' lives.

Sylvia Crowther, one of the project's participants, said the process of harvesting the crops had been "marvellous" and she had enjoyed doing something different.

The project aimed to "empower and stimulate" residents who have progressive illnesses.

They learned about gardening and brewing and were able to taste their creation at the Left Handed Giant brewery.

Pubs selling the beer will also be given beer mats created as part of the project to help raise awareness of dementia.

Andrew Turner, another Hoppiness Project participant, said: "It's nice to spread the word about brewing, I think. It is a science."

Lucy Lock, activities coordinator at Beaufort Grange Care Home, said: "Quite a few residents who wouldn't want to join in on many activities had come down and really enjoyed it.

"We had one lady who couldn't see, so being around the people, smelling the hops and tasting the beer had her smiling and everything."

Karen Gray, a University of Bristol researcher, said: "A lot of research, related to dementia particularly, is very medical in focus.

"It's quite often about finding a drug that's going to prevent or cure dementia. But a lot of researchers, myself included, would like there to be more focus on how people can live well."

Guy Manchester, who managed the project, said the residents had found it rewarding.

"It's incredible how it latches into people's memories and brings things out.

"It might be the smell, or rubbing your hands through compost. It's a good therapeutic tool all round."