Astwood Bank
Astwood Bank, a small village near Redditch, has long been a place for nesting swifts, as spotted by Olivia from the RSPB and her father. Despite this, the area could be improved for swifts and other birdlife. Noticing an opportunity to support wildlife in the area, Olivia contacted Tessa in October 2023 with an idea for a community project. Already leading community groups in the village, Tessa was no stranger to organising events and bringing people together. After discussing the potential of the swift project with Olivia, Tessa agreed to dedicate her skills and effort into promoting the work and gaining interest from residents.
Well-connected within the village, Tessa emailed contacts to get people involved, initially hosting a ‘swift half’ walk. From this event, Tessa established a taskforce of individuals with relevant skills, such as builders and DIYers. From bringing residents together, the project began to take shape; builders donated and prepared materials for swift boxes and individuals volunteered to have boxes installed on their property. The project culminated in a workshop where locals built their own swift box to take home.
This is a fantastic example of what can be achieved by communities when they receive the appropriate advice and support. Throughout the duration of the project, Olivia shared her knowledge of conservation and the Trust’s Nextdoor Nature officer, Yasmina, made suggestions on the best techniques for recruiting individuals and organising a community group. There has also been wider interest in the project; Simon, who is part of the Worcester and Malvern RSPB group and has significant experience in developing and running swift projects, also donated his time and guidance when needed.
Tessa is really pleased with what has been achieved by the project and that it has encouraged a greater awareness of wildlife within the local community. She thinks that by equipping residents with conservation knowledge, the work can become more self-sustaining. In addition, she hopes that the project is a springboard for further community action, such as supporting house martins or insects.
Just give it a go - the hardest part is getting started.committee member of Astwood Bank in Bloom
