Housing staff volunteers box clever for Mansfield wildlife support
Volunteers from an East Midlands housing developer swapped bricks and mortar for wood to help create new homes for birds at a Mansfield country park.
National housebuilder Miller Homes has entered into a UK-wide charity partnership with Groundwork, strengthening the developer’s commitment to supporting communities and nature.
Staff from Miller Homes East Midlands kicked off the partnership in the region with a day of work alongside regional Trust Groundwork Five Counties at Poulter Country Park in Langwith.
Miller Homes' team supported Groundwork in various maintenance and enhancements of the park, including building bird boxes to facilitate habitation for local wildlife, constructing cross drains to alleviate water pressure, and clearing overgrown vegetation from access routes and pathways.
The volunteering day will enable more children and families to benefit from Groundwork Five Counties' current Wellies in the Woods programme; a national initiative that helps under-fives build confidence, language and literacy skills through outdoor play.
Designed to reconnect families with nature on their doorsteps, the wellies programme brings stories and books to life through low to no-cost outdoor activities in local green spaces, while supporting health and wellbeing.
Tom Roberts, managing director of Miller Homes East Midlands, said: “We’re proud to be launching our charity partnership with Groundwork and to be doing so in such a hands-on way.
"I’m very grateful to everyone who volunteered on the day to help shape a new look for visitors and wildlife at the park.
"As a responsible developer, we’re committed to supporting nature and enhancing the communities where we build, and this partnership is a great example of how we can make a positive difference together.”
Darryl Plummer, programmes director at Groundwork Five Counties, added: “We are so pleased to have the support of Miller Homes.
"Their team worked hard on a hot day to improve the park, and their positive impact will be appreciated by visitors as well as the wildlife.
“Wellies in the Woods is a fantastic programme that brings families closer to nature.
"It introduces to children the importance of protecting the environment in a playful, accessible way – encouraging them to become involved in their local green spaces and care for them.”
To find out more about Wellies in the Woods, visit groundwork.org.uk/wellies-national/