Ahead of Hedgehog Awareness Week (3rd to 9th May), a local primary school has received a donation of hedgehog homes and feed to support and protect the local wildlife.
The pupils of Yanwath Primary School, located close to Barratt Homes’ Carleton Chase development in Penrith, will not only have an opportunity to learn about the world around them, but also about the importance of conservation and the part that individuals can play in making the world safer for wild creatures.
Allison Kenyon, Headteacher at Yanwath Primary School, said: “We are delighted to take part in the Hedgehog Homes initiative and applaud Barratt Homes for supporting local wildlife in such a meaningful way. This initiative fits perfectly with our outdoor learning and science curriculum, giving pupils hands-on opportunities to learn about habitats, living things and the importance of conservation.
“It also helps our children understand sustainability and community responsibility, showing them that small actions can make a big difference in protecting the natural world around us.”
As reported by Cumbria Wildlife Trust, the Western European hedgehog had been upgraded from ‘Least Concern’ to ‘Near Threatened’ in 2024 with a decline of up to 30% of hedgehog numbers in areas since the turn of the century. A big drive for this decline is habitat loss, the removal of hedgerows, interrupted travel routes by roads and fences and a decline in natural food sources.
Barratt Homes’ contribution to the school will encourage the pupils to look after the hedgehogs on the doorstep while learning more about wildlife.
Rhys Nicholson, Managing Director at Barratt Homes Manchester, said: “We are proud to support Hedgehog Awareness Week and help teach students about the dangers facing British wildlife, alongside the part that everyone can play in keeping the countryside buzzing with life.”
“We have installed hedgehog highways and biodiversity areas across our developments in the North West as part of our pledge to help the local wildlife thrive in the new communities.
“We hope the students of Yanwath Primary School enjoy their new hedgehog homes and learn all they can about hedgehogs’ place in the world around them.”
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