Focus Consultants takes great pride in its commitment to community engagement and environmental responsibility through its business operations, projects we work on and the activities of our staff. Recently, our Operations Manager exemplified these very same values by participating in our volunteering scheme. Sonja worked with Leicester City Council on a significant project focussing on the sustainable management of Knighton Spinney, a picturesque urban woodland designated as a Local Nature Reserve and Local Wildlife Site.

The project, led by Leicester Environmental Volunteers in collaboration with Leicester City Council, addresses ecological challenges in Knighton Spinney. One particular challenge being the rapidly growing holly, which was creating an overshadowed woodland floor, thus hindering the natural regeneration of oaks, a critical aspect of the site’s biodiversity.

LCC summed it up perfectly:

“Leicester Environmental Volunteers help Leicester City Council manage Knighton Spinney, a beautiful urban woodland, designated as a Local Nature Reserve and Local Wildlife Site due to its high-quality habitat for woodland species. The understory at the site is dominated by holly, a native evergreen that spreads rapidly and prevents sunlight reaching other plants on the woodland floor. Clearing holly in different areas on rotation increases the available light, encouraging natural oak regeneration, a particular problem at this site, whilst also benefitting dormant wildflowers. The holly brash is incorporated into a ‘dead hedge’, retaining all the carbon within the site and creating a valuable habitat for invertebrates, amphibians, small mammals and birds. This management has a positive impact on biodiversity, and helps to ensure the spinney’s long-term future, especially important due to the expected loss of trees due to ash dieback at the site.” – LCC

As well as environmental benefits the project site also provides accessible green space to the local primary school and provides social engagement for the project’s volunteers who range from students to retirees.

Before the event Sonja was looking forward to meeting with local green-minded individuals and a chance to get some exercise in the outdoors and had this to say..

“I am so thankful for this beautiful local amenity five minutes’ walk away! I have benefitted (especially during Leicester’s extended lockdown!) from the beautiful park for walking, summer events and even in deep snow. I appreciate the positive impact on physical and mental health and have previously attended independently with these lovely volunteers. I cannot imagine the annual cost without them. I was delighted to use the paid day release option Focus offers to volunteer on the Spinney.’

Initiatives like this show the power of working together to make a positive impact on the communities we serve and contribute to the preservation of our natural environment. We hope others are inspired to do the same in their local area.

Focus Consultants remains committed to fostering positive change through programs that prioritize both environmental stewardship and community well-being. We believe that through collective efforts, we can contribute to a sustainable and vibrant future for our communities and natural landscapes.