Yeo Rivers Community Trust engagement project is a comprehensive programme of activities and learning opportunities for local people to connect with nature.
These activities are taking place at multiple sites in and around Yeovil, including Sutton Bingham Reservoir, in partnership with Wessex Water. Activities include our Wild Women project (for women over 50), working in local schools, litter picks and projects with adults with learning difficulties.
Following extensive feedback from local events and our pilot project aimed at primary schools to raise awareness on water-related themes, we’ve identified an urgent need for education on issues around climate change and the degradation of aquatic habitats. Coupled with the wellbeing and mental health impact of covid 19 pandemic, this is the ideal opportunity to enable local residents to experience the benefits of spending time outdoors and working in nature.
Our Yeovil Wellbeing, Wildlife & Water Community Programme is suitable for any age and ability. Our aim is to offer activities suited to individual needs and we look forward to welcoming both individuals looking for activities to enjoy as part of a small group or local groups/organisations seeking activities to take part in as part of their own learning and wellbeing programmes.
Local residents who participate in our programme will have the opportunity to connect with nature, develop new skills, learn more about climate change issues that directly affect our town and play an active role in making positive changes in our community.
Our Education Programme
We are delighted to have designed two primary school-age modules as part of our education programme, exploring our relationship with water and water habitats!
Since the launch of our programme in 2021, we have visited schools across Yeovil and the surrounding villages, including St. Margaret's Tintinhull, Preston Primary and Oaklands Primary.
Collaborating with Wessex Water at Sutton Bingham Reservoir
In 2022 we launched a programme of community focussed activities in collaboration with Wessex Water at Sutton Bingham Reservoir. These include our wildlife walks that have now become a popular monthly activity, giving local people the opportunity to explore the reservoir wildlife, meet the rangers who look after the reservoir and explore areas that are not normally open to the public.
As part of our programme of activities, we are also carrying out wildlife surveys and habitat management at the reservoir. In 2023 conducted aquatic invertebrate, bat and dormouse surveys and were delighted to record some interesting results, including the presence of dormice at the reservoir. All our data is helping Wessex Water with their ongoing management plan for the site to benefit wildlife.
Wildlife Walks
We began holding our wildlife walks in 2022 on various routes around Sutton Bingham Reservoir. Following their success, we are now expanding our routes, in and around the Yeovil area.
Monthly Riverside Litter Picks
In collaboration with Somerset Council, we meet once a month at different locations across Yeovil to go on riverside litter picks with members of the local community. Our locations include Preston Brook at Lawrence Way, Dodham Brook near Westlands, Yeovil Country Park and Riverside Walk.
In 2025 we are excited to be expanding our Wellbeing, Wildlife & Water Community Programme to even more groups and individuals in an around the Yeovil area.
We are also pleased to be launching a programme of activities aimed at women over 50 to include special interest talks and practical activities.
See our full programme of community activities for 2025 and how to join us on our Get Involved Page.
"The Learners are pleased knowing that through a little bit of hard work, they have left behind something that nature and their community can enjoy for years to come. "a2a speaking about community work with YRCT in collaboration with their learners
If you would like to register your interest in this programme, please email info@yrct.org.uk or text/call us on 07926 518 386 and we'll be in touch with more details about upcoming activities.
You can also find more details about our planned activities on our Get Involved Page, including our exciting range of activities taking place throughout 2024.
