On Thursday 13^th June, community groups involved in the Nextdoor Nature and Wilder Communities projects celebrated some of the achievements of our local Surrey community groups at an event held at RHS Wisley. Celebrating Surrey’s Communities offered training opportunities, networking, idea sharing, and a range of workshops led by some of our very own experts, the RHS Wisley Communities Team, and Ben McCallan from ZERO Carbon Guildford. Workshop themes included community fundraising, connecting with the next generation, and adopting zero-waste practices.

Over the last 2 years, Nextdoor Nature has brought communities together to help nature flourish where they live and work. Thanks to funding from The National Lottery Heritage Fund, this national project has enabled the SWT Communities team to provide local people with the advice and support needed to help nature on their doorstep.

Since 2021, some 18 groups comprising over 100 people got stuck in to make a difference for nature, with results including the creation of a community sensory garden, a new no-mow initiative at a local school, and a fresh cohort of empowered community members across Guildford and further afield. Nextdoor Nature communities have said they now feel better connected, more knowledgeable, and more excited about nature in the local area.

Shifa Network Projects Lead Khalda Kusar and Community Development Manager Saima Salman, said:

"Shifa Network enjoyed attending the Communities Event on Thursday 13 June at RHS Wisley. Our groups have learnt a great deal from being a part of the Nextdoor Nature Project. The activities they participated in such as the nature walks and maintaining a courtyard garden encouraged and inspired our groups to take care of nature in their local communities."

Sharon Howitt, Teacher of Geography at Guildford High School, said:

“The Nextdoor Nature project was really fun to be involved in. Pupils really enjoyed launching the Blue Hearts campaign in an assembly and then project managing the making of the hearts plus placing them around the site boundaries. The project grew into a GHS NO Mow Challenge which 76 households signed up to. (Anecdotally many more took part!) Pupils also enjoyed learning about fundraising for their projects and communicating with neighbours about hedgehog holes.”

As the project draws to a close, we hope the strengthened relationships, increased confidence, and access to resources will ensure that our local communities can continue to expand their influence, spread their knowledge, and take meaningful action for nature. And the good news is that although the National Lottery funded stage of the project has now concluded, a whole new cohort of people with the skills, connections and passion to make a difference for nature has been energised to keep looking out for wildlife long into the future.

Claire Harris, SWT Community Engagement Manager, said:

“We’ve met some fantastic groups and individuals over the past couple of years who are really enthusiastic about creating change within the local area. We’ve learnt a lot, and we hope they have too! It’s what we’re all about at the Trust – bringing people together to shift mindsets and, ultimately, help nature. We know that we can’t achieve our goals in isolation, so it really is local people that are vital in driving the movement forward.”

Are you part of a community group? Check-out our online space packed-full of resources, funding opportunities and advice to help local communities thrive. We’re also thrilled to announce the launch of our new Nextdoor Nature Communities Grant! Apply by 31 July 2024 to be in with the chance of receiving up to £2,000 to support your local community project.

Whilst our Nextdoor Nature project is drawing to a close, our Wilder Communities programme will continue to offer support to community groups taking action for nature across Surrey.