Redrow graduate Obi builds bug hotel and planter for Chadderton primary school

Redrow graduate Obi Ebizie checked into a Chadderton primary school to help build a bug hotel and planter to support pupils’ outdoor learning.

The 25-year-old, who is from Chadderton himself, created the wildlife resources for Whitegate End Primary School as part of the second year of his graduate programme with the leading housebuilder.

And Obi, who works for Redrow’s Buckshaw Village-based Lancashire division, said it was a task that was “a pleasure” to be involved with.

Obi, who’s recently been promoted to assistant site manager at Worden Gardens in Leyland, said: “It was great to be involved with something like this, to go in and meet the teachers, and to see the smiles on the children’s faces when we delivered the bug hotel and planter.

“It was such a pleasure.

"I have always wanted to give back to the area I grew up in, and now I have.”

The Community Engagement Project forms part of the second year of Redrow’s Graduate Programme and tasks those involved with identifying local schools who might benefit from educational resources to promote wildlife, and their environments and habitats.

It has the dual benefit of allowing children to learn and interact with nature, and the graduates to engage with their local community.

Normally Redrow graduates come together from all around the country to work on a major project but this year, because of the Covid pandemic, numerous smaller projects were carried out by individuals like Obi or by smaller groups while adhering to Government guidelines.

Obi, who joined the rotational graduate scheme in 2019 after graduating in construction management from Nottingham Trent University, said: “At first it was difficult working on my own but I liaised with the joiners at Fox Meadows in Chadderton, where I was based when I first started the scheme, pitched my ideas to them and what to use, and gave them the timescale.

“The transport team helped me get everything to the school, and I am still in touch and hope to go and help them fill the bug hotel and the planter.”

Cathy MacMillan, a teaching assistant at Whitegate End Primary, said: “We wanted to develop a sensory garden in part of the early years unit and so this has been brilliant.

“It’s all about creating a hands-on learning area, one that the children can be part of and maintain, and which will help them explore nature.”

She added: “Getting the children outside helps to support their well-being and that’s never been as important as it is now, so we are really pleased to have received the planter and a giant bug hotel.

"The children can look forward to finding insects to ‘rehouse’ in it.”

Paul Borrowdale, from Redrow’s talent team, said: “Our graduates around the country have had to project manage the design, the creation and delivery of wildflower planters, bird boxes, bug hotels, mud kitchens and other creative items, using sustainable and recycled materials.

"They worked with our site teams, trade apprentices and sub-contractors to build the items, and provide the plants, seeds and flowers.

“We think they have done a fantastic job and are proud of what they have achieved.”

To find out more about Redrow’s graduate programme, click here

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