VOLUNTEERS working to provide a home for nature at RSPB Haweswater have been given a helping hand – a £500 community grant to purchase new tools.

The money, awarded from the Cumbria County Council Eden Fells (Eden) Community Grants Fund, has been used to buy new equipment for the volunteers, including spades, hammers, gloves, fencing tools and saws.

Site manager Lee Schofield said: “We are really grateful for the grant from Cumbria County Council, as these new tools will enable our hard-working volunteers to carry out a variety of activities on the site, from tree and hedge planting to fence removal and dry stone walling.

“The volunteers really make a difference at RSPB Haweswater and we encourage anyone interested in helping to carry out habitat management work at the site to join our volunteer work party. It’s a great way to get involved, meet new people and learn new skills.”

Volunteer work parties are held on the first Thursday of every month at RSPB Haweswater, Bampton. For more information email vanessa.moss@rspb.org.uk or call 01931 713376.