Feed the Birds winter befriending scheme

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Funded on
29 Nov 2024

Feed the Birds’ winter befriending project aims to provide companionship to new clients across Shropshire who are experiencing loneliness, at a time when they can feel particularly isolated.

£12,611 Raised of £12,441

125 Backers

101%

Our Delivery Report

Funded on 29 November 2024 | Delivered on 20 March 2025

£12,611

RAISED

125

BACKERS

53

DAYS TO FUND

BIGGEST PLEDGE

£7,630

From Shropshire Council

£10

MOST POPULAR PLEDGE AMOUNT

27

people have visited this project!

N Mattock donated £50

6 bird feeding stations created

10 sedentary clients engaged

P Mutch

P Mutch donated £10

S Short donated £50

Feed the Birds donated £50

new client referrals supported

26 new client referrals supported

R Atherton donated £20

Whitchurch U3a donated £70

Hours volunteering opportunities

80 Hours volunteering opportunities

1 Part-time job protected

J&F Mutch

J&F Mutch donated £105

Project Image

Revenue generated

£9000 Revenue generated

64 Volunteers involved

People involved in project delivery

64 People involved in project delivery

The Latest from Feed the Birds winter befriending scheme

Feed the Birds was overwhelmed by the generous support shown by all of our backers, and immediately took on more referrals of clients experiencing loneliness and isolation. The cold winter was tough on both birds and those on their own but the funding enabled us to recruit 15 more clients and carefully match them with a local befriending volunteer.

http://www.feedthebirds.org.uk

Feed the Birds was founded in 2016 by Shropshire Wildlife Trust. In 2024 we became a separate charity (Charity Registration Number 1208199), with the strong support of 10 trustees, to continue to expand the success of the initiative. A part-time Feed the Birds co-ordinator connects lonely and socially isolated people with a volunteer who visits them on a weekly basis to feed the birds in their garden. Clients are provided with a bird feeder which the volunteer tops up when they visit and a bird identification guide so that they can record the different types of birds they see in their garden. The project provides clients with a sense of purpose through observing and recording their garden wildlife and builds connections by offering them vital social contact with their volunteer. Volunteers undergo training on practical issues such as safeguarding along with learning about bird feeding. They are then matched with a local client that has been referred, via a health professional, social prescriber, adult and social care services or another voluntary sector organisation, e.g. The Alzheimer’s Society, Huntingdon's Disease Association and the Red Cross.

Extensive evaluation has shown Feed the Birds to be a simple yet highly effective project that has made a significant difference to the lives of some of the most vulnerable and isolated people in society. The project has been hugely successful in reducing loneliness and increasing the wellbeing of the people it has supported and has also brought with it wider benefits for those caring for the client, and the volunteers. The focus on ‘feeding the birds’ has connected people with the natural world and has made a positive contribution to the local environment whilst providing a shared interest for the clients and volunteers.

“I’m a big supporter of Feed the Birds. It’s fantastic for mental health; it’s brilliant not just to talk but to watch and to enjoy the birds as well.” Iolo Williams, Naturalist and TV presenter.

Project Owner: Feed the Birds The Project Owner takes legal responsibility for receiving and spending the funds raised and ensuring the project is delivered.