Winter Biodiversity Project

Across Sandfields, a new green story is beginning to unfold. The Biodiversity Winter Garden Project brings people, plants, and wildlife together with one shared purpose: creating a living space that thrives even through the colder months. Designed to celebrate nature, encourage outdoor learning, and support local ecosystems, the project transforms underused space into a welcoming winter garden bursting with life and colour. More than just a garden, it is a community effort — a place where pupils from local schools, residents, staff, and families can connect with the environment, learn new skills, and discover the beauty of biodiversity right on their doorstep.

Festive Feeders

Children from the local nursery took part in our Winter Biodiversity project by helping to make bird feeders for the garden. They first learned about the importance of biodiversity and how birds struggle to find food during the winter months. Using recycled materials and simple ingredients, the children created a variety of bird feeders, gaining hands-on experience in supporting wildlife.

Residents later helped hang the feeders in the garden, creating a warm, shared moment of care for nature. The project not only supported local birdlife but also encouraged the children to appreciate the environment, understand their role in protecting it, and develop a lasting sense of responsibility toward wildlife and conservation.

Eco Warriors

We were delighted to welcome the Eco Warriors to our garden, where they helped us plant a variety of flowers to brighten our outdoor spaces. The focus was on adding colour while carefully selecting hardy plants that can withstand the often challenging conditions of the UK weather. This wonderful collaborative effort supports sustainability and biodiversity, while creating a vibrant, welcoming garden for everyone to enjoy.

Spring Preparation

Sandfields’ resident gardener, Marjory, has been busy planting tulip bulbs as part of the Winter Project. We received these bulbs for Participating in the 2025 Garden Wildlife Project — a wonderful initiative that supports nature-friendly gardening and helps wildlife thrive in our outdoor spaces. 🐝🌱 With pots full of promise and plenty of cheerful conversation along the way, the activity brought fresh air, calm moments, and a shared sense of anticipation. We can’t wait to see the colourful burst of tulips in spring sunshine, and we’re already looking forward to spotting the very first blooms appear. 🌷💛

Bird Feeders and Winter Plants

In addition to the larger projects, we’ve also been busy with a variety of smaller but equally meaningful tasks around the garden. These included creating beautiful porcelain bird feeders, adding both charm and a welcoming space for wildlife, as well as caring for our winter plants that return each year, such as the much-loved snowdrops. Taking time to nurture these seasonal blooms helps keep the garden thriving throughout the colder months and ensures it continues to be a peaceful, colourful space for everyone to enjoy.

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Across Sandfields, the Biodiversity Winter Garden Project has brought together residents, children, staff, and the wider community to create a vibrant outdoor space that supports nature throughout the colder months. From making bird feeders with local nursery children and welcoming Eco Warriors to plant hardy, colourful flowers, to caring for winter plants like snowdrops and planting tulip bulbs for spring as part of the 2025 Garden Wildlife Project, every activity has played a meaningful role. Together, these efforts have transformed the garden into a calm, welcoming, and wildlife-friendly space that encourages sustainability, shared learning, and a lasting connection with the natural world.