Hands-on teamwork in the community

The Planning Aid Wales staff team recently spent an energetic day out in the woods helping to build a log circle and wildlife learning area at Porthkerry Country Park. We were looking for a challenge which would take us out of our normal roles and also help the community, and we certainly found it at Porthkerry!

The day was organised by Business in the Community under their employee volunteering initiative. Our challenge was to clear a woodland glade of scrub and brambles, create a new footpath, make a wooden log circle with enough seating space for groups of up to thirty school children, and putting up bat and bird boxes.

Mel Stewart, ranger at Porthkerry said: "This is a fantastic new resource for the Park, visiting schools and community groups which can be used for all sorts of exciting outdoor activities. The activities will help give children an appreciation of the natural world. It has already been used by the Wildlife Watch Group who have added a few hedgehog homes."

The Planning Aid Wales staff team is on the lookout for another challenging community project for next autumn. If your project would benefit from eight energetic helping hands for a day, do contact us.