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Paulina Brissenden Wilder Bramley group leader

Paulina (left) is a founding member of Wilder Bramley, an ambitious Team Wilder community group that aims to improve the environment in their village to benefit wildlife and people.

The group formed in February 2022 following a chance meeting of several like-minded wildlife lovers from Bramley who were keen to start a nature group in their village.

With support from the Trust via a funded pilot programme with Basingstoke & Deane Council, the group have made some impressive progress in their first year. Bramley resident Paulina, who is a client services manager for a telecommunications company, says, “The highlight for me must be the community bee garden and wildflower area that we created in our local recreation grounds.

“We turned areas of lawn into patches of nectar-rich plants for pollinators and other insects. The engagement from the community, local businesses and organisations has been amazing – we received hundreds of bee-friendly plant donations and residents watered and maintained the plants throughout the year.”

The group also organise nature-themed walks and volunteering events for locals and, going forward, are looking at more ways to enhance wildlife in the village.

According to Paulina, ‘nature is a peaceful place of refuge’.

The 33-year-old adds, “Now more than ever we know that access to green spaces and encounters with wildlife are vital to our physical and mental health.

“Nature is inspiring, joyful and fascinating and I am very passionate about making it accessible to everyone.

“After all, if you don’t have access to or don’t know something exists, how can you appreciate or care about it?”