Grey heron (Ardea cinerea) Regent's Park, London. Visitor to park with herons. - Terry Whittaker/2020VISION
#TeamWilder action in Coventry
90% of people who completed Natural England’s ‘Monitor of Engagement with the Natural Environment’ survey said they are concerned about the environment, yet only 4% of people volunteer to care for that environment.
We know many people would like to do more for the climate and the environment, but need more information or support. This is where #TeamWilder and its community grants scheme, supported by Coventry City of Culture Trust helped in Coventry in 2022. The legacy of the grants will last much longer.
In 2022, Coventry City of Culture Trust awarded Warwickshire Wildlife Trust £15,000 to distribute to groups and organisations in the city who wanted to help make more space for #TEAMWILDER #TeamWilder grants launched nine projects throughout the city in 2022 nature, or wanted to encourage more people to be on nature’s side. This became known as the #TeamWilder Community Grants Scheme.
In total, nine projects were funded, working with a range of people and delivering inspirational outcomes for people and wildlife. Below are details of three such projects. We will keep our website updated with more information throughout 2023 so you can learn more about the other projects too.
The Friends of War Memorial Park
Using their grant, The Friends of War Memorial Park produced a ‘100 things to do in the park’ booklet. The booklet contains exciting suggestions for ways people can enjoy being in the park. It also features workshops, encouraging people to interact with and enjoy the park in a different way and in doing so, reached a brand new audience. Many of the suggestions in the booklet also encouraged the conservation and enhancement of green spaces and the group provided seeds harvested from their sensory garden to workshop participants, to encourage them to plant at home.
Friends of War Memorial Park by Jennie Redshaw
Wild Earth
Wild Earth acquired, established and now maintains a neighbouring allotment to their existing site at Lake View Allotments. Individuals who use the site have increased their enjoyment of nature and greatly improved their mental health. Regular weekly workshops at the site included mindfulness activities, the creation of pollinator friendly areas and the building of bug hotels and bird feeders. All workshops had a creative element including photography, visual arts and crafts.
The project has increased access to green space to members of the local community – especially young people and their families. The site has been a very important resource for neurodivergent young people, as it provides a space where they can enjoy the peace and quiet of nature. Young people have learnt about nature and wildlife, as the site is next to the river Sherbourne. “I love being here, listening to the sounds of the birds. I never thought about all the wildlife that also lives here. Now I feel like a part of it all.” – said one participant.
Culture Coventry
Culture Coventry delivered workshops alongside Coventry Refugee and Migrant Centre, to support the creation of a community garden space at the Herbert Art Gallery & Museum. The aim of was to allow newly settled citizens a place of sanctuary in nature they may not have access to at home. They have brought colour into a previously dark and shaded space through the installation of street art murals, winter flowers and new planting areas with raised boxes and hanging pots that will be maintained through ongoing support from volunteers. Further support was gained from Coventry Men’s Shed mental health support group, who volunteered time to maintain the outdoor garden area. Participants were encouraged to continue at home if possible, by creating planters for their windowsills if outdoor garden spaces were not available.
Ladybird by Lynda Prior
To achieve its ambitious target of 1 in 4 people acting for wildlife, Warwickshire Wildlife Trust wants to embrace everyone who is motivated to make a difference and to enable and inspire action.
From ‘Friends of’ groups, schools and faith groups, from families to councils to volunteers; the Trust wants to work with others to help everyone understand the need for change, why we need that change now and to recognise their own role in making that change happen. We hope to be able to extend the community grants scheme over the coming years to inspire and support more people to take action for nature, to help create a wilder future.