Reflection Garden - A Community Project

Sharp eyes on the reserve will have noticed there have been some changes at the entrance to the reserve, between the den building area and the wildlife garden. Bits have disappeared and it's gradually being cleared. But why, you may ask.

As part of our commitment to The Heritage Lottery Fund, each year we take on a project that involves members of the local community. Project ideas are generated at a quarterly community forum meeting, attended by local people and anyone who uses RSPB Sandwell Valley (please see more details on the community forum below!) This year the site team and forum members suggested that this area of overgrown scrub could be transformed into a reflection garden. A quiet space for reflection and a new area to discover nature on the reserve.

Ben Iddon, RSPB volunteer garden superhero, is leading the quest to make this space perfect. Along with support from various local groups, first and foremost, students from the George Salter Academy. This friendly bunch visit us every Wednesday afternoon and have been working their socks off, as part of a Duke of Edinburgh award. Please stop and say hello if you see them hard at work, they're doing a cracking job.

Duke of Edinburgh students, RSPB Sandwell Valley

We have a number of other groups hoping to take part in the project with various plans for tree planting, sculptures and work party days. The space will have a 'cottage garden' theme and other ideas include a bench, water feature and incorporation of edible plants and fruit trees so the local community can really dig in.

If you'd like to get involved, have a suggestion of a group who might like to be or ideas for design features, we'd love to hear from you. Drop into the visitor centre or email lucy.hodson@rspb.org.uk

A Little More on the Community Forum

We're always looking to find how we can make RSPB Sandwell Valley a great place for the local community and visitors from further afield. The community forum was set up with the intention of giving local people the opportunity to have a say in the general running, improvements, events and projects of the reserve. Its aim is to encourage visitors by developing activities and events and making sure it is accessible, both practically and through better local understanding of what is on offer. The forum is open to anyone who uses the site and is interested in what we do. If you'd like to get involved, attend forums and tell us how we can make Sandwell Valley better, we'd love to hear from you.

To find out more email lucy.hodson@rspb.org.uk

Jenny Stevens (Connecting People & Nature Intern)