For many BHWT supporters, the journey begins with rehoming a few hens and giving them a well-deserved retirement. But for Elise and her partner Rob, providing a loving home was just the start.
Since 2020, they have expanded their flock several times, yet Elise felt a calling to do even more for the thousands of hens still waiting for their second chance. By launching their very own Egg Club, Elise turned her garden hobby into a powerhouse of fundraising and awareness.
In this guest blog, Elise shares how ‘Harebell Hens’ grew from a simple idea into a community-driven success story, raising thousands of pounds to support the BHWT’s mission.
My partner, Rob, and I rehomed our first hens from the British Hen Welfare Trust in 2020. We rehomed more hens in 2021, 2022, and 2025, but I soon realised that rehoming alone wasn’t enough to help all of the ex-commercial hens still waiting for their chance to retire.
To make a bigger impact, I decided to join the Egg Club.
I named our club ‘Harebell Hens’ and designed custom labels: “Eggs from our garden laid by rescue hens and friends.” In April 2021 I began taking eggs into work, asking for donations of £1 (or whatever could be afforded) for half a dozen.
Through the BHWT webpage, local social media, and simple word of mouth, I built a loyal community of supporters. Friends and neighbours, who previously received eggs, were more than happy to switch to donations. I’ve been amazed by people’s generosity – it’s not uncommon to receive donations of up to £5 for a single box!
Our eggs are particularly popular with vegetarians and plant-based eaters looking to support more ethical diet choices. We always welcome people to come and visit and see the life our hens now enjoy. Sometimes, we even bundle the eggs with vegetable seedlings to raise additional funds. Unfortunately, I draw the line at baking however; I’d like to keep my supporters, and my “expertise” in the kitchen might achieve just the opposite!
To date, our hens and their friends (our non-rehomed hens and a couple of ducks) have raised over £2,700. As our flock ages and our numbers decrease from our peak of 25, the Harebell Hens donation rate will be slower this year. That’s ok I feel, as every donation, whatever the size, can still make a huge difference to the BHWT’s mission.
Being a part of the Egg Club is really important to me. It’s about more than just the final figure; it’s about the awareness raised and the lives saved. I feel incredibly proud to support the BHWT.
Inspired by Elise and Rob? You can start your own Egg Club today!
Whether you have a small garden flock or a larger group of feathered friends, turning your surplus eggs into donations is a simple and rewarding way to support our work. Join Egg Club to help us spread the word and give more hens a life worth living.
