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Builders merchant Selco Builders Warehouse has donated 10 multipurpose toolkits to an environmentally friendly project in Wokingham that teaches young people DIY skills by making bird boxes from scrap wood.
The merchant’s Reading branch donated the toolkits to the Eco Skills Learning Centre in Arborfield. The tool bags are packed with essential trade tools to help the charity with its projects, including like a hammer, pliers, screwdrivers, measuring tape and more.
The centre encourages young people to develop their skills by making bird boxes and bug hotels using unwanted wood donated by local residents and businesses.
Dr Bilber Bachra, of The Eco Skills Learning Centre, said the project aims to teach visitors new skills while improving the environment. She said: “We’re very grateful to Selco for their generous donation. All of the tools will be put to use immediately as we teach young people some practical skills, including how to use a hammer and screwdriver. We launched in 2024, initially working in our back gardens and moved to the Eco Skills Learning Centre in February this year. We have so far made 755 bird boxes for blue tits and 100 bug hotels. We are working with Berks, Bucks & Oxon Wildlife Trust to see what other habitats we could make in the future. The Wildlife Trust has identified that swifts and hedgehogs are on the endangered list, so we have now expanded our range of habitats to include include boxes for hedgehogs and swifts. Looking to the future we plan to build boxes for owls and bats. The whole cycle is very environmentally friendly and ensures the wood isn’t being burned or sent to landfill.”
The project is run by around 15 volunteers, who also deliver workshops at community events and school fetes.
Selco Reading branch manager Tony Webb said: “We’re delighted to support The Eco Skills Learning Centre and this excellent project. Various surveys have shown that many young people lack basic DIY skills. Workshops like this can make a huge difference and give people confidence for the rest of their lives. Being part of our local community is important to us and this is another example of how we get involved with good causes.”
