The Nextdoor Nature project in Somer Valley has officially come to an end, but for the four community groups involved in—Writhlington, Bath College Somer Valley, Peasedown St John, and Paulton—this is just the beginning. Over the past year, neighbours have come together to transform local green spaces, strengthen their communities, and inspire long-term action for nature. With new skills, resources, and confidence, they are now leading the way in caring for these spaces for years to come.

Run by Avon Wildlife Trust and funded by the West of England Combined Authority through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, the project has had a profound impact. Residents have built bat boxes, planted hedgerows, restored ponds, and even created a fairy door trail, all while building friendships and a stronger sense of community. The response has been overwhelmingly positive—92% of participants reported increased social interactions and 92% respondents felt they were empowered to make decisions about their local community.

"Before this project, I feel there was a disconnect within the community, but now we are far more cohesive," said one participant. Another added, “The increase in social interactions in my community has been massive and is a beautiful thing to be a part of!”

In Writhlington, a group of neighbours transformed The Plantation, a previously neglected green space, into a thriving area for people and wildlife. Community-led activity days, including bat walks, bulb planting, and creating a fairy door trail, have brought the community closer together. A local dad now runs Plantation Rangers, a youth-led initiative encouraging local children to care for the space.

"The best way to deter vandalism, which is what I'm trying to do with the Plantation Rangers, is just to have people love the space," said one resident. "If they have things to do and ways to be creative, they won’t feel the need to kick something or dig something up.”

For many, there is a common fear that community-led projects can be damaged or disrespected by vandals, but The Plantation has shown that when people invest in their local spaces, they will respect and care for them.

Support from Curo has helped enhance the space, with new hedgerows, improved paths, new interpretation signs and even a living willow structure for natural play.

At Bath College Somer Valley, a new wildlife trail is encouraging students and staff to explore their green campus. With young people facing increasing pressures, access to nature can be a powerful tool for mental health and focus.

The trail highlights key natural features, including a woodland and pond, as well as information about sustainable practices for students studying the built environment. Animal Care students have played a hands-on role in improving the space, ensuring that future students will continue to build upon the project.

Rachel, a tutor at the college told us: “Being connected to nature and having access to green space is incredibly important. It changes people, settles their minds, and opens up new possibilities. I've definitely noticed a change in the students when they've been outside—there's a real sense of camaraderie, teamwork, and pride in something they've walked past so many times without really noticing. I'm really proud of all of them.”

A hedgehog monitoring campaign in Peasedown St John revealed a thriving population, but also raised concerns about road fatalities. To address this, the Trust worked with local illustrator Marian Hill and Peasedown St John Primary School children to create awareness banners, which will soon be displayed across the village to encourage drivers to slow down.

Meanwhile, partnerships with The Hive community centre and Ashgrove Cemetery have improved green spaces for wildlife, further strengthening the local community’s role in conservation.

One resident shared: “I have more knowledge about nature and have had lots of different ideas about how to protect and encourage wildlife.”

In Paulton, a passionate group of residents has come together under the name Paulton on The Wild Side, working to enhance local green spaces for both people and wildlife. They have planted hedgerows, introduced bulbs around the village, and now have exciting plans to install a wildlife trail and a community orchard.

The impact of the project has also inspired other local groups. Pride in Paulton, a well-established community gardening group, has been encouraged to introduce more wildlife-friendly gardening techniques. They have already created a stumpery—a natural habitat for insects, fungi, and small mammals—behind the Co-op shop. One member noted the immediate positive impact: “Since we installed the stumpery, there has been no littering in that area.”

This demonstrates how wildlife-friendly features not only enhance the environment but also discourage negative behaviours.

Residents have noticed a growing sense of community and shared purpose. “More people stop to talk to us when we’re working in the village, and we can share our ways of helping nature and explain how they can help in their gardens by making even small changes," said one member.

Another added, “I feel more positive about the place I live as I know there are other people who want to do the same things that I do.”

Participants credited Avon Wildlife Trust’s approach, which put decision-making in the hands of the community rather than dictating projects from above. This sense of ownership has been key to ensuring the work continues beyond the project’s formal end.

Stephanie Sharkey, Communications and Engagement Officer for the Nextdoor Nature Somer Valley project, said: "Nextdoor Nature Somer Valley was never just about the short-term impact—it was about creating lasting change. Seeing these community groups take ownership of their projects and commit to showing up for their community and for nature is truly inspiring."

With new connections, stronger skills, and a growing movement of people passionate about protecting wildlife, Nextdoor Nature Somer Valley has laid the foundation for long-term, community-led conservation. Though the official project has ended, the work is far from over and we need you to get involved too.

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Funded by the West of England Combined Authority through the UKSPF, administered by the West of England Combined Authority.