A report published today reveals the striking results of a National Lottery Heritage Fund £5 million Nextdoor Nature programme which enabled Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust to work with communities across the two counties 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 Hampshire and the Isle of Wight 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 doubling the number of green spaces in Freemantle, Southampton and helping community groups in Gosport to connect residents with local wildlife. Whilst on the Isle of Wight, there is a new wildlife-friendly garden space at St. Marys hospital, community nature projects have created a sensory garden and new homes for wildlife, and a community orchard project is also thriving. 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.
Nationwide, 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.
Dawn O'Malley, Wilder Communities Manager, Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust says: “It has been an incredible journey to witness the impacts of the Nextdoor Nature project, funded by the Heritage Lottery. This initiative was designed to shift power to communities to reconnect with the natural world right on their doorstep, and over the past months, we’ve seen remarkable progress, driven by the passion, creativity, and hard work of so many individuals, but there is still so much more work to be done.
“From urban wildlife corridors to community gardens, the Nextdoor Nature project has created examples where nature has been brought into the heart of our neighbourhoods. It's been inspiring to see how people of all ages have come together to champion local green spaces, foster biodiversity, and create lasting connections with nature that will continue to grow long after the project ends.”
Gosport Wilder Wednesdays
This summer, the Trust expanded its outreach to Gosport, building strong relationships with local community groups eager to take action to help nature and connect residents with surrounding wildlife. In partnership with Rowner Community Trust, the Trust launched ‘Wilder Wednesdays,’ offering a range of nature-focused activities for children and families. The sessions became a highlight, with families enthusiastically sharing their own wildlife stories and learning about ways to support local biodiversity.
Katy Gary, Wilder Neighbourhoods Officer, Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust says: “It was inspiring to meet families who were keen to share their stories of the wildlife they see and who were enthusiastic about learning more and take action to help nature local to them. Making bug hotels was a huge hit, both the tower block at the youth centre and the individual hotels kids made and took home for their gardens.”
