Flagship UK-wide nature project shows people-power dramatically helps communities and wildlife

Durham Wildlife Trust’s Nextdoor Nature programme worked with a range of local communities to take action for nature.

A report published today reveals the striking results of a National Lottery Heritage Fund £5 million Nextdoor Nature programme which enabled Durham Wildlife Trust to work with communities across the Wearside, South Tyneside, Coastal East Durham, and Darlington areas for two years.

At a time when a recent UK Government evaluation of green prescribing showed that connections to nature can bring about big reductions in anxiety and depression symptoms and impressive improvements in well-being*, the benefits of the Nextdoor Nature programme for people are significant. Extraordinary transformations have taken place across the North East over the last two years in communities that have often been traditionally or historically excluded from making decisions about nature and the environment in their local areas. The benefits of nature connectedness have never been better appreciated.

Nextdoor Nature has given people the skills, tools and opportunity to take action for nature. The projects have included working with Roma communities in East Belfast to support wildlife gardening, linking local schools with rare bird reintroduction schemes in Kent, rewilding Derby town centre and a nature-friendly faith space in Slough. Nextdoor Nature’s legacy will live on beyond the end of the funding so that local communities can continue the work using their new skills and contacts.

95% of the participants in the Nextdoor Nature programme said that as a direct result of the project, there is now greater collaborative working between residents, local organisations and groups, and 82% feel there is now greater decision-making about wildlife in the hands of local people.

Eilish McGuinness, Chief Executive, The National Lottery Heritage Fund, says:

“We were delighted to support this transformative project as it so strongly supports our vision for heritage to be valued, cared for and sustained for everyone. This project delivers on our ambition to connect people and communities to heritage and the natural environment. I am delighted so many people are taking an active role in caring for nature and it has ignited a passion and commitment which will have positive impact for people and our environment into the future.”

Nikki Williams, Director Campaigning and Communities at The Wildlife Trusts says:

“We’re over the moon about the success of this programme, and humbled by the astonishing work that communities have achieved across the UK. When communities are given the support to make a difference for nature, creative things happen, connecting nature and people together. We’re especially excited by the knowledge that these changes form part of a sustainable legacy as more people become inspired to take action for nature where they live. The Wildlife Trusts are committed to bringing communities to the heart of decision-making. This has tangible and ongoing benefits to wildlife, nature and people.”

Many participants expressed that the project gave them a purpose and increased their sense of community. Engaging in collective efforts to improve local nature made them feel like they were part of something bigger, contributing to a common goal and enhancing their pride in their local area. “It gives me purpose and a 'joyous boost', it has increased my sense of community,” said one participant. “It has contributed to a sense of purpose and belonging,” said another.

Read Power to the People: Nextdoor Nature's legacy for communities and wildlife here.

Films, maps and further case studies and stories are available here.

Notes for editors

*Nature prescribing results in big improvements in mental health and well-being - read more

About the project

Nextdoor Nature launched in 2022 – here are some of the key moments: · March 2022: Communities across the UK empowered to let nature flourish thanks to £5m National Lottery funding · May 2022: Poetry and film ignite Nextdoor Nature – a new nature legacy to mark the Queen’s Jubilee · February 2023: 200 communities revive green spaces to boost wildlife and wellbeing · February 2023: What if you really could change the world? · July 2023: Free online hub will mobilise communities for nature’s recovery · May 2024: Prima Magazine – Nextdoor Nature Community Garden Winners Announced

Evaluation

Nextdoor Nature case studies

Derby city centre: bringing schools, residents, artists and local council together to rewild unloved patches of land. Derbyshire Wildlife Trust and the people of Derby have created a Green Corridor spanning the city, bringing nature back to its urban heart. Rewilding here is seen in a fuller context, rather than isolated pockets of restoration, recognising that spaces need to work for people and for wildlife together. A specially-commissioned mural snakes along Normanton Road, echoing the path insects and wind-blown seeds might take from park to wildflower patch and beyond. The children of Arboretum Primary School tend to the newly-restored green space at Society Place, just one link in the evolving chain from Normanton Park to Arboretum Park.

Slough: The Ujala Foundation, working for religious and cultural understanding in Slough, creates a wildlife-friendly garden for the whole community. BBOWT (Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire Wildlife Trust) were asked by the community centre to help them rejuvenate the area behind the centre, which was used for dumping rubbish. Over the months, Nextdoor Nature worked with volunteers from the local women’s group to create a haven for peace and sanctuary. The garden was officially opened by the Mayor and continues to be run by the volunteers of the community centre and local residents.

Hull: well-being and connection through gardening and community action. Welcome to English is an organisation that seeks to provide a holistic approach to supporting asylum seekers and refugees, and they began working with Yorkshire Wildlife Trust and Nextdoor Nature in a variety of ways. Students have created garden spaces for well-being and therapy, but the work has gone deeper than that. Nextdoor Nature staff have joined in with lessons, making the themes and topics more relevant and accessible to the students, many of whom come from rural areas. There has been an emphasis on community cohesion, with the students exploring Hull and taking active roles in litter-picking and community events.

The National Lottery Heritage Fund

Using money raised by the National Lottery, we inspire, lead and resource the UK’s heritage to create positive and lasting change for people and communities, now and in the future. www.heritagefund.org.uk. As part of the National Lottery’s £22million investment to celebrate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee, The National Lottery Heritage Fund is investing £7m to create a lasting legacy for communities and nature across the UK. The funding will empower disadvantaged communities to take action for nature on their doorsteps and enable 70 young people to undertake paid placements in the nature heritage sector. Follow @HeritageFundUK on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram and use #NationalLotteryHeritageFund #PlatinumJubilee