NFU Mutual Volunteers join us on Volunteers Week

During our latest volunteering day with NFU Mutual, held during National Volunteers' Week, we had the privilege of hosting 18 dedicated employees from the company. They joined forces to complete many much-needed tasks, breathing new life into our nature reserve.

Creating the Beginnings of a Medicinal Garden

One of the standout projects from the day was the creation of an area for a medicinal garden. Volunteers worked to prepare the land, laying the groundwork for a space that will soon be brimming with herbs and plants known for their healing properties. Some of the group carefully laid down cardboard and a weed suppressant material before topping it with decorative bark chippings to prepare the ground ready for constructing planters that will house medicinal plants. They also placed slabs to improve access, ensuring the area is both functional and inviting.

Painting Wooden Huts and Gazebos to refresh the Landscape

A fresh coat of paint brought a renewed vibrancy to all the wooden huts and gazebos on-site. These structures serve as gathering points for education, relaxation, and community events, and maintaining them ensures that they remain welcoming and functional spaces. The NFU team’s hard work not only helped preserve the wood from weather damage but also revitalised the overall aesthetic of the reserve.

Biodiversity Audit

The team also undertook a biodiversity audit, assessing the variety of species present in the area. By documenting all the wildlife they came across, they provided valuable insights which allows us to monitor everything at the nature reserve and take steps toward creating a balanced and sustainable habitat.

Weeding

Volunteers took on the challenge of weeding the garden area, clearing out unwanted growth to ensure that the plants have the space and resources to flourish. Their efforts helped create a tidy space perfect to attract pollinators and everything that was removed was cut up and composted.

Planting Ivies

They also grabbed spades and got digging to thoughtfully plant ivy towers around a seating area overlooking our wildlife pond, creating a lush, green sanctuary that enhances both the beauty and tranquillity of the space. Beyond its aesthetic appeal, the ivy will provide a natural screen, offer shade, and improving air quality, as well as making it the perfect spot to unwind.

Thank You, Volunteers

We are incredibly grateful to the 18 NFU Mutual volunteers who dedicated their time and effort to completing every task on our to-do list, making a lasting impact on our nature reserve. A perfect example of the impact volunteering can have.