Sheffield Wildlife Trust want to natter about nature to ease loneliness

Sheffield and Rotherham Wildlife Trust has launched Nature Natters, to give people the opportunity to send a thoughtful gift to their friends, neighbours and family members, especially those who may be experiencing loneliness.

For a suggested minimum donation of £10, staff at the trust are offering people the chance to gift a friendly chat over the phone to one of our wildlife experts on a variety of topics such as wildlife gardening, ask the entomologist, wildlife in politics or simply a love of wildlife.

The idea was developed after a member sent a big thank you message to Ben Keywood, trust customer and membership support administrator and entomologist, for having a lovely conversation with her elderly mother over the phone.

The member said it made her mum’s afternoon to chat to wildlife expert Ben.

Ben said: “It is always a pleasure to chat to others who share a passion for all things wild and to know I cheered her up in this difficult time makes it even better.

“I think there will be plenty of others who would love to have a good chat about their love for nature and wildlife, so I’m excited for Nature Natter to begin.

“Additionally as a charity, your support really does make a difference to us. From protecting wildlife, to helping people connect with nature and each other, every penny helps, and never more so than now, so thank you.”

The gift receiver does not need to be a technology expert, they just need a phone, a nice cuppa and be ready to soak up the knowledge from one of the Sheffield and Rotherham Wildlife Trust team about a topic close to their heart.

The conversations will not be area specific, so anyone in the country can take part.

Ben said: “We understand we are all experiencing strange and uncertain times, it is difficult for people not to be able to visit their family and we are all worried about relatives who live alone.”

The trust manages 16 nature reserves, including Greno Woods and Blacka Moor.

To gift a natter with a wildlife expert visit wildsheffield.com/nature-natters