Member Article

Local housebuilder partners with primary school to create a new home for nature

Local housebuilder, Barratt Homes, is celebrating its ongoing partnership with the wildlife charity, Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) by collaborating with St Patrick’s RC Primary School to create a new home for the school’s local bird wildlife.

In a bid to encourage more people to get involved with their local wildlife, and following the RSPB’s Big Garden Birdwatch earlier this month, Barratt Homes donated a selection of design-your-own bird feeding kits to a number of classes at St Patrick’s RC Primary School, which is near to its Cherry Tree Park development, for the children to design and get creative with, before installing on the school grounds for them to observe the local wildlife.

Barratt Developments’ commitment to increasing wildlife across the North East is now deemed even more important due to scientific evidence that highlights how birdwatching helps boost mental health and wellbeing . What’s more, living in environments with more birds and trees significantly lessens the feelings of anxiety and stress, whilst urban green spaces helps to reduce residents’ sense of isolation and loneliness .

Caroline Fairrington, Business Manager at St Patrick’s RC Primary School said: “This was a wonderful activity led by Barratt Homes and the children were really excited to get involved. Through the stressful times of Covid-19, it gave the children something new and exciting to look forward to and get involved with. They loved getting creative in the classroom by designing their own bird feeders, whilst learning about wildlife conversation right here at the school. It’s great to see that the children are now watching out for birds visiting the school too!”

In partnership with the RSPB, Barratt Homes’ is sharing its tips on how to encourage birds to your gardens all year-round:

Make a bird cafe:
Birds appreciate being fed at any time of the year, but especially now in the coldest part of the year. Simply set up an apple feeder, sprinkle out leftovers or install a bird feeder. Be sure to check out the RSPB website for advice on what foods are safe for birds, as some can be harmful to them.

Set up a drinks station: Water is important for birds, not only for drinking but to clean their feathers too. Buying a bird bath or even making your own with an upturned bin lid will do the trick. Throwing in some stones or gravel in the bottom can help stop the bird from slipping.

Give birds a home: With Spring right around the corner, birds will be looking for a home for this year’s hatchlings. You can either buy a nest box, or make your own by following the step-by-step instructions on the RSPB website.

Barratt Homes are committed to boosting wildlife and building nature-friendly developments, which is why in addition to the hedgehog highways and swift nesting sites, the housebuilder is continuing to install bird feeders and birdhouses at its Cherry Tree Park development in Sunderland.

Ashlea Wright, Sales Manager at Cherry Tree Park commented: “As a leading housebuilder in the area, we’re keen to work closely with the local residents and schools, to encourage them to welcome wildlife into their gardens. It was a pleasure to work with St. Patrick’s RC Primary School and we hope that the children enjoyed this activity! By making our spaces as nature-friendly as possible, together we can further encourage and nurture the local wildlife within the local area.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Richard Savage .