National Highways chips in to support animals at education project

Animals living on an East Midlands farm can sleep easy at night thanks to some comfortable new bedding donated by National Highways.

Trees and vegetation removed during maintenance work on National Highways’ roads across the region has been recycled and turned into wood chippings.

As a result, some eight tonnes of wood chippings were delivered to The Island Project farm and education centre in Draycott, near Derby, to be used as bedding for the 40 plus animals that are housed there including llamas, goats, donkeys and pigs.

The centre is an alternative education service that supports permanently excluded, at risk of exclusion and/or vulnerable young learners who face challenges in traditional education as well as NEETs (those Not in Education, Employment or Training).

National Highways’ contractors Amey and Triple H Soft Estates who recycled the trees and vegetation delivered the large load of wood chippings to The Island Project.

 While they were there, the volunteers also fixed the main gate post to the project by concreting in a new post and helping improve security.

National Highways Route Manager Nick Warren said:

“We are always looking at ways to help the communities living alongside our roads and good causes if we can. And we are also committed to doing all we can to reduce our environmental impact – so this donation ticked both boxes for us.

“The Island Project is a fantastic cause providing an education and a future for young people struggling in the traditional education routes so it was a pleasure to be able to help the centre out.

“We are also very grateful to our contractors who are repurposing and reusing site materials to cut down our impact on the local environment and reduce our carbon footprint.”

Students at the project - whether dealing with social, emotional or behavioural needs, thrive through hands-on activities, animal assisted learning and outdoor education.

The students are actively involved in site maintenance tasks and woodworking hand skills, which not only contribute to animal welfare but also help maintain the farm. But animal interaction is at the core of the sessions and students actively participate in caring for the animals.

Alison McPherson, director of The Island Project, said:

“We were very grateful, this will provide snug bedding for winter for the animals (who would like to add their own oinks and squeaks). A big thank you to Nick, the team and National Highways for the care and support.

“With rising costs, such a donation has a big impact not only financially, but also by making us feel included. Thank you."