Blogger: Rachael Murray, Media Officer
Staff and residents of Bupa care homes across Hertfordshire will be keeping an eye out for creatures that croak, flap, cheep and snuffle for Bupa’s Wildlife Week (26 September – 2 October), a new initiative which aims to encourage more wildlife into care home grounds and gardens.
As part of a UK wide initiative, 14 care homes in Hertfordshire are taking the lead by organising a week of activities, including building hedgehog havens, bug hotels and painting special bird boxes, following advice from our nice people at RSPB Head Office.
Many of the homes are also inviting schools and members of the local community to lend a hand in transforming their grounds and help spot any new wildlife visiting the homes during the week. Mandy Jackson, Bupa regional manager for Hertfordshire, said: “This initiative gives all of our residents the chance to get involved, from helping staff build new homes for wildlife to simply watching out for their favourite birds or butterflies. It’s also the perfect project to suit all of our care homes, whether they have big lawns or smaller patios and private gardens for the residents to enjoy.”
RSPB research has shown that access to nature and green spaces is important for older people and those recovering from illness, with the benefits of wildlife gardening including increased physical and mental activity as well as developing a sense of purpose. Richard Bashford, another RSPB fellow, told us: “Teaming up with over 300 Bupa care homes throughout the UK will make a huge difference to many of the common species in decline and we want as many people as possible to get involved – whether that’s volunteering at a local home or making their own gardens more appealing to wildlife. We hope both people and wildlife will reap the rewards of this partnership.”
Anyone wanting to find out more about Bupa’s Wildlife Week can call into a local Bupa care home to receive a free RSPB ‘Homes for Wildlife’ pack full of simple advice and recommendations for all types and sizes of garden. To find the nearest Bupa care home or local event, call 0845 600 4622 or email wildlife@bupa.com. Further details about the RSPB’s project, Bupa’s Wildlife Week and advice on how to make your home appealing to wildlife can be found at www.bupa.co.uk/wildlife
Photo credit: Adam Murray. Companion planting at Flatford Wildlife Garden, Suffolk