A report published today reveals the striking results of a UK-wide National Lottery Heritage Fund £5 million Nextdoor Nature programme. As part of this programme, Cumbria Wildlife Trust was able to work with nine communities across Carlisle for two years.

At a time when a recent UK Government evaluation of green prescribing showed that connections to nature can bring about big reductions in anxiety and depression symptoms and impressive improvements in well-being*, the benefits of the Nextdoor Nature programme for people are significant. Extraordinary transformations have taken place across Carlisle over the last two years in communities that have often been traditionally or historically excluded from making decisions about nature and the environment in their local areas. The benefits of nature connectedness have never been better appreciated.

Nextdoor Nature has given people the skills, tools and opportunity to take action for nature. The projects in Carlisle have included a primary school overhauling and rejuvinating an overgrown and unkempt flower planter on their street, residents at a supported housing project creating a more private garden space to relax and enjoy nature, and local gardening groups creating ambitious nature- and community-friendly wildlife spaces. Nextdoor Nature’s legacy will live on beyond the end of the funding so that local communities can continue the work using their new skills and contacts.

95% of the participants in the Nextdoor Nature programme said that as a direct result of the project, there is now greater collaborative working between residents, local organisations and groups, and 82% feel there is now greater decision-making about wildlife in the hands of local people.

Eilish McGuinness, Chief Executive, The National Lottery Heritage Fund, says: “We were delighted to support this transformative project as it so strongly supports our vision for heritage to be valued, cared for and sustained for everyone. This project delivers on our ambition to connect people and communities to heritage and the natural environment. I am delighted so many people are taking an active role in caring for nature and it has ignited a passion and commitment which will have positive impact for people and our environment into the future.”

Lizzy Benn, Cumberland Community Officer for Cumbria Wildlife Trust said: “We’re delighted about the success of this programme, and by the astonishing work that communities have achieved not only here in Cumbria, but across the UK.  People have made some great things happen in their local area, and with some support for us, are making a big difference for nature too. These projects have helped give people a real sense of pupose as well as increasing their sense of community – and working with them, we’ve made some great friends along the way.

“We’ve had some really positive feedback from those who’ve been involved in making changes in their local environment: ‘Engaging with nature feels great, it brings me into the present’, ‘My life has improved’ and ‘It makes me more active in the garden around me’.

"While the brilliant Nextdoor Nature programme maybe concluding, we’ll continue to work with communities in Cumbria who want to bring a bit of nature and wildness into their local area. If you have ideas and would like some support from our Community Team, do get in touch!” 

Read about five of our Nextdoor Nature Projects here:

• Melbourne View flats - residents transform their garden, for themselves and wildlife
• Harry Bee Community Gardening Group - see their planting plans really blossom
• St Andrew's Church, Botcherby - enhancing a great community space
• Hammond's Pond information boards - school, community, artist and local council collaborate in beauty spot
• Edward Street planter - school council and community group works together to improve their surroundings