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In this post, the Bright Heart team reflects on a recent day spent volunteering at Elysian Farm to restore hedgerows. Alongside the planting, the team toured the farm’s alternative provision, meeting its animals and learning more about how nature-based environments can support young people.
At Bright Heart we believe in supporting the communities and environments where we work. In February, members of our team spent a rewarding day volunteering at Elysian Farm in Surrey, helping to plant new hedgerows that will benefit the local landscape and wildlife for years to come.
Together with other volunteers, we planted an impressive 2,850 UK native tree whips, creating new stretches of hedgerow across the site. Native hedgerows are a vital part of the British countryside, providing food, shelter and nesting spaces for birds, insects and small mammals. They also act as important wildlife corridors, helping species move safely across the landscape.
Hedgerows have shaped the character of the UK’s countryside for centuries, but many were removed during the agricultural intensification of the 1960s and 1970s, when smaller fields were merged to allow larger machinery and more intensive farming. Restoring hedgerows today is an important step in rebuilding biodiversity and strengthening local ecosystems.
Planting native species ensures these hedgerows will provide the best possible habitat for local wildlife. Over time, they will grow into dense, living boundaries that support birds, pollinators and small mammals, while also helping to improve soil health and protect the landscape.
Our visit also included a tour of Elysian Farm, an alternative provision that provides a unique learning environment. The farm is home to a range of animals and reptiles, and it was inspiring to see how outdoor education and nature-based experiences can support young people in different ways.
The day was not only productive but also a great opportunity for the Bright Heart team to spend time outdoors and contribute to a meaningful environmental initiative. We’re proud to have played a small part in planting hedgerows that will grow, thrive and support wildlife for decades to come. 
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