LAFS @ Witley Court Natural Heritage Project

LAFS @ Witley Court natural heritage project This was a partnership project between English Heritage, Wyre Forest LAFS, Worcestershire Lifelinks and the Adult Learning Disability Services and Countryside Service at Worcestershire County Council. 

The natural heritage at Witley Court, which is a nationally significant 40 acre historic site outside Worcester was barely interpreted or explained for visitors at the start of the project. During this twelve month project the young people focused on surveying, monitoring, photographing, documenting and learning about the natural heritage on the site (birds, wildlife, insects, plants and trees) and encouraged different species through creating new habitats and bird boxes. Additional to the original project outline (funded by Heritage Lottery Fund and English Heritage), the young people were also offered the opportunity to design, landscape and maintain a wildlife garden (funded by EH).

The historic setting of the Court, its history and conservation provided the inspiration for an amazing piece of natural sculpture which adorns the Wilderness Garden. The 22 metre serpent, inspired by the sea dragon in the Perseus & Andromeda fountain at Witley Court, weaves its way through trees in the centre of the garden, originally designed to house sculpture. Through a family friendly activity trail, project leaflet with wildlife identification charts, permanent interpretation panels and the sculpture designed with the young people, natural heritage is being brought to life for 50,000 visitors a year.

 

Suzanne Carter, Outreach Manager, English Heritage West Midlands said:

 “We are extremely proud that the project has been nationally recognised as best practice; not only for successful partnership working, but also in creating opportunities for the young people to achieve, make friends and learn new skills. This project has really highlighted the abilities of the young people and what they can offer rather than just what they need. This is what makes it so innovative within health and social care practice. As a result of the project a few of the participants have had job opportunities and the increased self-esteem of the group is noticeable.”

This project has won a Positive Practice 2007 Award, given by the Care Services Improvement Partnership (CSIP). These national awards are designed to celebrate the quality and commitment of the people who work in health and social care.  The Witley Court project won in the category of ‘Innovative Partnerships’.

English Heritage continues to work with the young people and has set up a monthly Wildlife Garden Volunteering Project that involves the young people maintaining and developing the potential of the Wildlife garden they designed. It is also hoped that another natural sculpture may be produced next summer for the Wilderness Garden.

For further information about the project, contact Suzanne Carter, Outreach Manager West Midlands on 0121 6256870 or suzanne.carter@english-heritage.org.uk