Learning to use a fire steel with Mike Murphy, Communities & Wildlife Training Officer © Sarah Watson

Nextdoor Nature inspires local families

In August, families in Ore in Hastings were invited by Sussex Wildlife Trust to a free Forest School taster day in Speckled Wood, as part of their Nextdoor Nature initiative. Sarah Watson, the community organising officer, describes how the project is supporting communities in Hastings and Bexhill to take action for nature.

Several families enjoyed the day, which was also supported by Ore Community Land Trust. The sun shone while the children, aged four to eleven, and their families, enthusiastically sawed branches to create wooden pendants, mixed natural paint, made bows and arrows and elder beads and learnt to use fire steels. Then they took a woodland walk, spotted butterflies at the community allotment and visited the community orchard.

Forest School taster day © Sarah Watson

The families are now keen to visit the woods more often and to have access to more activities in nature. Sarah is putting them in touch with local organisations who may be able to run Forest School sessions for them in the future. One of the mums said, ‘It was lovely to get out with the kids. My mood was better, and my stress levels were reduced. It’s given me more confidence to come to the woods on our own.’

Nextdoor Nature is bringing communities together to help nature flourish where they live and work. Thanks to £5m funding from the National Lottery Heritage Fund, Nextdoor Nature will provide people with the advice and support they need to help nature on their doorstep, these micro-projects across the UK will leave a lasting natural legacy marking the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.

Making an Elder bracelet on the Forest School taster day © Sarah Watson

Evidence shows that people are increasingly disconnected from nature, with profound consequences for health and it also means they are less likely to protect their natural heritage. As part of that national initiative, Sussex Wildlife Trust is offering neighbourhoods and workplaces support to start their own community-led projects where they live and work.

To find out more about Sussex Wildlife Trust’s Nextdoor Nature project in Hastings and Bexhill, contact Community Organising Officer, Sarah Watson: or visit the Sussex Wildlife Trust website.
For information about Speckled Wood, visit the Speckled Wood website.

Also in: Green Times