South West housebuilder and RSPB show how to bring wildlife to your doorstep

South West housebuilders Barratt Homes and David Wilson Homes and the RSPB today launch Nature on Your Doorstep, designed to help people turn their outdoor spaces into havens for themselves and wildlife
This exciting project launches during Mental Health Awareness Week - the theme of which is ‘nature'
In a recent YouGov poll two thirds of people in the UK said nature was a source of solace during the pandemic

Leading South West housebuilders Barratt Homes and David Wilson Homes and the RSPB today launch Nature on Your Doorstep, a project designed to inspire and advise everyone on how to turn their outdoor spaces into havens for wildlife - whether it be a garden, balcony, yard, or community green space.

This project comes after a year in lockdown caused many to rediscover and rejoice in their local nature. In 2020 alone over 1.7 million people sought advice from the RSPB website on how to make their garden more wildlife-friendly, and in January the RSPB's Big Garden Birdwatch saw a record-breaking one million people take part in counting the birds in their garden.

In a recent YouGov poll two thirds of people in the UK said nature was a source of solace during the pandemic, with more than half of those surveyed (51%) believing the pandemic has made them more aware of the nature around them. A recent study from Princeton University, USA, also found that gardening is one of the top five activities for increasing emotional wellbeing.

The importance of the outdoors to our own health is reflected by the Mental Health Foundation choosing ‘Nature' for the theme of this year's Mental Health Awareness Week (running from 10-16 May) in recognition of how nature helped people through the pandemic.

From today, visitors to Nature on Your Doorstep will be able to access:

how-to gardening guides,

easy step-by-step videos,
seasonal gardening advice, and
an online community dedicated to bringing people together to ask questions, seek advice, and share their successes (and learning experiences)

Already available are four of the ten ‘Wildlife Action' articles and how-to videos from Adrian Thomas, the RSPB's wildlife gardening expert. The first two articles, for example, are titled ‘The best plants for wildlife' and ‘Just add water', and will talk people through how to find their green fingers ("Even great gardeners have plant failures!") and the importance of water for wildlife ("It's the magical ingredient that brings your outside space to life"). Visitors to the page will also be able to sign up to receive a monthly newsletter full of useful tips and tricks.

Over the next three years the project will continue to grow into a go-to place for gardening for wildlife. The project will host everything from customisable content to seasonal advice across the four nations, as well as conducting research into what drives or prevents people from welcoming wildlife to their outside spaces and investigating how to empower local communities to make shared spaces a home for wildlife.

Adrian Thomas, the RSPB's wildlife gardening expert, said: "Our local wildlife has been an incredible source of comfort over the past year of isolation and uncertainty, and we're so thrilled to see people wanting to help nature in return. With Nature on Your Doorstep we want to provide a place for everyone to learn from each other, ask questions, and be inspired to do more.

"Gardens can provide a crucial lifeline for struggling species - familiar birds such as the house sparrow have seen their numbers halve in the last 40 years, while 28 species of urban butterflies are down 69% in three decades. But seven out of eight households in Britain have a garden, and that is a huge patchwork of potential homes for nature. To that hungry butterfly, or that weather-beaten bird looking for a place to roost, just one garden can make all the difference. If we all work together to transform our gardens, we can truly revive our world."

David Thomas, Barratt Developments' chief executive said: "We want to empower people to give nature a home, by creating an online community for them to learn and to share their experiences, giving them digital tools which they can then take into the garden to get their hands dirty. This is all about helping home owners to turn their garden into havens for wildlife."

The RSPB and Barratt Developments have been working together since 2014 to show how new homes can help nature and support wildlife. Their support has allowed the RSPB to breathe new life into its wildlife-friendly gardening work through the creation of Nature on Your Doorstep.

To turn your patch into paradise for you and your wildlife, please go to: rspb.org.uk/yourdoorstep

Barratt Homes and David Wilson Homes are currently building new communities and homes in locations across the South West including:

Bristol, South Gloucestershire & Gloucestershire:

Ladden Garden Village, Yate - 559 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 bedroom homes (357 Barratt Homes; 202 David Wilson Homes) in a brand new community with large areas of open space, cycle ways, footpaths and new sports pitches
Morton Meadows, Thornbury - 130 3, 4 and 5 bedroom David Wilson Homes with large areas of public space, streamside walks and a short drive from the distinct market town of Thornbury
Blackberry Park, Coalpit Heath - 129 2, 3, 4 and 5 bedroom Barratt Homes with the Frome Valley walkway on the doorstep, a play area, allotments and 22 acres of open space
Charfield Gardens, Wotton under Edge - 115 homes; 2, 3 and 4 bedroom Barratt Homes in the village of Charfield, surrounded by countryside and with substantial public open space, allotments and an orchard
Great Oldbury, Stonehouse - 319 2, 3 and 4 bedroom homes; 138 David Wilson Homes and 181 Barratt Homes, with three acres of open space and good access to Gloucester, Cheltenham, Bristol and the Cotswold countryside
Rosewood Grange, Hardwicke, Gloucester - 142 homes; 2, 3, 4 and 5 bedroom David Wilson Homes in the new community of Hunts Grove, surrounded by large areas of open space and within easy reach of Gloucester city centre

Somerset

Moorland Gate, Bishops Lydeard, Taunton - 173 2, 3, 4 and 5 bedroom David Wilson Homes in the picturesque Quantock village with 6 acres of open space
Nerrols Grange, Taunton - 235 2, 3, 4 and 5 bedroom homes (89 Barratt Homes and 146 David Wilson Homes) alongside the popular Northwalls Grange development surrounded by open space and the Somerset countryside
Elworthy Place, Wiveliscombe - 94 2, 3 and 4 bedroom Barratt Homes on the edge of the Brendon Hills and in walking distance of the historic market town
Blackdown Heights, Crimchard - 142 2, 3 and 4 bedroom Barratt Homes one mile from the centre of the market town of Chard on the edge of the Blackdown Hills
Coat Grove, Martock - 120 2, 3 and 4 bedroom Barratt Homes set between the villages of Martock and Coat, with the Somerset countryside on its doorstep. Electric Vehicle charge points are being installed outside more than half of the homes

Wiltshire

Hunters Wood, Melksham - 225 2, 3 and 4 bedroom David Wilson Homes in the Wiltshire countryside and within walking distance of the market town's historic centre, shops, cafes and restaurants
Birds Marsh View, Chippenham - 436 1, 2, 3 and 4 bedroom homes in the first phase, followed by more to come (103 Barratt Homes; 233 David Wilson Homes) set within 11 acres of open space with allotments, an orchard, two play areas and historic woodland on its doorstep
Canalside, Wichelstowe, Swindon - 208 1, 2, 3 and 4 bedroom homes ( 94 Barratt Homes and 114 David Wilson Homes) the first homes in a landmark new community alongside the Wilts and Berks canal which will include 200 acres of open space and 12km of new nature trails

Devon

Tarka Ridge, Barnstaple - 135 homes, 2, 3 and 4 bedroom David Wilson Homes, set in Yelland with beautiful views over the Taw-Torridge Estuary, allotments and close to the Tarka Trail
Raleigh Holt, Barnstaple - 86 homes, 3 and 4 bedroom David Wilson Homes, with Barnstaple town centre within walking distance and only 25 minutes from Saunton Sands and Woolacombe beaches
Braid Park, Tiverton - 120 homes, 2, 3 and 4 bedroom Barratt Homes, by Tiverton Golf Course and surrounded by country parks
Embden Grange, Tavistock - 110 homes, 2, 3, 4 and 5 bedroom David Wilson Homes, with stunning views over the Dartmoor Countryside
Victoria Heights, Exeter - 160 homes, 2, 3 and 4 bedroom Barratt Homes, on the edge of Alphington with a play area and plenty of open space
Berry Acres, Paignton - 192-homes, 2, 3 and 4 bedroom Barratt Homes, to the west of Paignton. Wildlife-rich with plenty of open space and a play area, with easy access to the beach
Okement Park, Okehampton - 221 homes, 2, 3 and 4 bedroom Barratt Homes, close to Okehampton Castle, on the edge of Dartmoor. Electric vehicle charge points are being installed on all homes

Cornwall

Chapel Gate, Launceston - 140 homes, 2, 3 and 4 bedroom Barratt Homes, in the sought-after Upper Chapel area
Pen Bethan, Falmouth - construction is about to start on 133 homes, 1, 2, 3 and 4 bedroom Barratt Homes, surrounded by countryside and open space and within easy reach of the thriving and popular Cornish town