The Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, and Oxfordshire Wildlife Trust (BBOWT) has completed a two-year project aimed at restoring nature in underserved communities in Berkshire.

The initiative was part of a £5 million grant awarded to the wildlife trusts by the National Lottery Heritage Fund in 2022.

This funding was intended to improve the lives of people in some of the UK's most deprived areas and to create a lasting legacy for the Queen's Platinum Jubilee.

Of this funding, £90,000 was allocated to BBOWT to work with marginalised communities in Reading and Slough.

A volunteer at a project supporting those in the LGBTQ+ communityA volunteer at a project supporting those in the LGBTQ+ community (Image: BBOWT) Eilish McGuinness, chief executive of The National Lottery Heritage Fund, said: "We were delighted to support this transformative project as it so strongly supports our vision for heritage to be valued, cared for and sustained for everyone.

"This project delivers on our ambition to connect people and communities to heritage and the natural environment.

"I am delighted so many people are taking an active role in caring for nature and it has ignited a passion and commitment which will have positive impact for people and our environment into the future."

The project, known as Nextdoor Nature, was designed to bring more nature into people's living and working environments and to empower local communities to take action for nature.

BBOWT collaborated with a range of groups, including ethnic minorities, people with disabilities, refugees and asylum seekers, faith groups, and LGBTQ+ support services to deliver 15 community projects over the two years.

They also engaged with more than 50 organisations, including schools, councils, charities, and hospitals.

The projects included the restoration of wildlife gardens and churchyards, the delivery of health and wellbeing sessions, and the installation of more than 50 wildlife boxes for birds, bats, bees, and hedgehogs.

Barbara Polonara, community wildlife officer at BBOWT, said: "Contact with nature is scientifically proven to help our mental and physical health, and granting access to the outdoors to those who don’t have a garden or who experience accessibility issues has been crucial to the delivery of the project.

BBOWT community wildlife officer, Barbara Polonara, with members of the Ujala Community, which received funding to renovate their gardenBBOWT community wildlife officer, Barbara Polonara, with members of the Ujala Community, which received funding to renovate their garden (Image: Pete Hughes) "People have been allowed to experience nature and discover that its beauty can be found anywhere and everywhere, even in a herb pot placed on a windowsill.

"We’re extremely grateful to the National Lottery Heritage Fund for making all of this possible.

"The Nextdoor Nature project has come to an end, but its impact has just begun.

"By working closely with the groups to understand their needs, we have been able to provide meaningful action for wildlife and communities, and a wild legacy and which will last long into the future."