Wildlife and well-being: a match made in Montgomeryshire

An innovative partnership has been created that will see a leading wildlife charity work with a well-being project to benefit local wildlife and environment.

Llanfyllin Shed (formally Mens’ Shed) has teamed up with Montgomeryshire Wildlife Trust, after receiving a National Lottery Grant of £10,000, to launch Learn and Build -Working Together for Nature.

The 12-month project starts this week and combines the skills of the Shed with the knowledge of Montgomeryshire Wildlife Trust, to promote the protection and conservation of local wildlife and habitats.

The idea behind the project is to utilise the skills built up in The Shed, and extend the work already undertaken with other community groups. It will involve one of the Wildlife Trust Officers promoting, and setting up a programme of monthly awareness raising events with various local groups, such as schools, the Scouts etc.

Members of The Shed will attend each of these events along with a mobile workshop. They will demonstrate the various animal shelters they make (bird, owl, insect, hedgehog) and help participants to build their own. Each participant will learn how to care for nature and their environment, as well as gaining “hands on” basic woodworking skills.

The project has the potential to reach out to hundreds of local people, giving everyone involved a sense of community, local pride and belonging, while making positive changes for the environment and conservation.

Gill Johnson from The Shed said: “We are eternally grateful to the National Lottery, especially to those who play each week. Without these grants many small local projects would not get off the ground.”

If you know of any community groups that might be interested in hosting an event, please contact llanfyllinshed@outlook.com.

The Shed meets weekly on Wednesday and Friday from 10am-2pm, with the Crafty Hub group meeting on Tuesday from 10am-3pm. New members are always welcome.