Swaythling Neighbourhood Centre in Southampton is a wonderful community space, but one that many people don't even know is there. Wilder Southampton Officer Jill Doubleday was no exception until March 2026, when she was asked for advice about a wildlife area at the Centre. This request came from Anna, a local resident who knew Jill from a community gardening project nearby.

This area was known to attract slow worms, and Anna wanted to make sure that planned changes to the Centre grounds would not damage their habitat.  Jill and Anna made a plan not only for maintaining the space but also for getting more people involved.  

The first of three community conservation sessions was held in May, attended by eight members of the community. They got to work clearing brambles, bindweed and litter from an area that had been earmarked for inclusion in the habitat. This was then sown with a wildflower and grass mix. One of the younger members of the group, James, commented, “I love doing stuff like this because you can come back in a month and see the difference.”  

We planned our next session for just over a month later, but the heatwave meant it was delayed until August. By then, we could definitely see the difference, with a mix of wildflowers and grasses on what had been bare earth.

One of the tasks this time was to create a low dead hedge along one side to replace the decaying fencing while adding to the habitat. This proved to be a very satisfying experience. Jill, who had been finding the drought, heat and wildfires quite difficult to cope with, found that the communal effort of restoring nature really lifted her spirits. She'd recommend getting involved to anyone who is able!

Until then, Anna had largely taken on the task of maintaining the area alone, but felt this was becoming too much.  Jill offered to help expand community involvement and find a new project co-ordinator by holding a community consultation event. One further group session was held in October to clear more bramble, cut back some long grass, and add to the dead hedge.  This time, eight Southampton University Conservation Volunteers came along, swelling the group size to 13.  This meant we made great progress, making the area ready for Jill to step away and let a new community leader come forward.

The 'slow worm habitat restoration' has become so much more, in the way that community work does. In the process of helping wildlife, a mix of people from different backgrounds has made new connections and Swaythling Neighbourhood Centre is now firmly on the map!