Eco Skills Learning Centre receives toolkits boost

​An environmentally friendly project in Wokingham that teaches young people DIY skills by making bird boxes from scrap wood has received a donation of toolkits from us.

The Eco Skills Learning Centre in Arborfield has received a boost with the donation of 10 multipurpose toolkits from our Reading store on the Portman Trading Estate.

The tool bags are packed with essential trade tools to help the charity with its projects like a hammer, pliers, screwdrivers, measuring tape and more.

The centre welcomes young people to make 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:

“We’re very grateful to Selco for their generous donation. All 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 young people work in pairs and spend about two-and-a-half hours to make a bird box each, which they take home to put up.

“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.

The group meets on Wednesdays and is always looking for volunteers and donations of wood.

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.”