Osborne Introduces Bugs to a New Eco-Garden

Osborne recently supported Haybrook College in a bug building hotel project for the college’s new eco garden to encourage environmental awareness and help increase the school’s biodiversity.

This project aimed to provide 16 young people with valuable hands-on experience in construction and help them develop essential skills. Over two sessions, Osborne’s Social Value Managers, Sairah and Neal, worked closely with the students to put together eight bug hotels for the new eco-garden. After a safety talk with students and supporting school staff, young people were given PPE and worked in pairs, using tools to add a wire backing to the bug houses and water-based paints to brighten the outer frames of the bug hotels.. Osborne also provided twigs, hollow stems, logs, pine cones and bits of bark for students to fill the bug houses, helping to create warm, dry spaces that will attract different creepy crawlies.

The project was a wonderful opportunity for the students to gain practical experience in construction and learn about eco-friendly practices. Bug hotels provide a use for leftover materials and stop them from going to waste. Young people were also able to work as part of a team, develop their communication and problem-solving skills.

Jo Fletcher, Head of Engagement commented:‘Through schools’ biodiversity projects we see the direct benefits to the environment as well as the positive  influence on  young people’s interests and attitudes. We believe that supporting young people in this way is essential for the future of the construction industry and for creating a more sustainable future.

Feedback:

“I wanted to share a massive thank you to Osborne for delivering the Bug Hotels session today. You pitched it perfectly and overall; I feel the engagement was positive. 

 You were great with the students and really helped them to get a feel of what working on site would be like.”

Niki Papali
Careers Leader
Haybrook College