Broadband network volunteers help connect to nature

A team of volunteers from Openreach rolled up their sleeves at Birmingham Settlement’s Nature & Wellbeing Centre, helping to clear an overgrown area ready for wildflower planting.

Their efforts will help promote the space, which is creating a natural retreat for wildlife and the local community right in the heart of Birmingham.

The Nature & Wellbeing Centre, once a fallow three-acre playing field, has undergone an incredible transformation since its completion in August 2021.

It now offers a much-needed green space in the city, complete with a community café, two geodesic learning domes, and an outdoor amphitheatre.

The popular community facility helps promote wellbeing, inclusion, and environmental awareness.

Nick Craxton, from Openreach, said: “We’re passionate about keeping people connected, and that means more than just full fibre broadband, which we’ve already made available to 1.4 million local homes and businesses.

“By volunteering at the Birmingham Settlement Nature & Wellbeing Centre, we’ve been able to help create a space where the community can come together and connect with nature.

“The West Midlands is a region we’re deeply invested in, not just through our fibre network but through the thousands of local people we employ and the communities we support.”

The new wildflower area at Birmingham Settlement’s Nature & Wellbeing Centre will provide a haven for pollinators like bees and butterflies, as well as create a more visually appealing landscape for the many visitors who use the centre.

The centre not only offers a retreat from busy urban life but also serves as an educational resource, encouraging local residents to engage with environmental and sustainability initiatives.

Sam Marsh from Birmingham Settlement, said: “We're incredibly grateful to the volunteers from Openreach for their hard work and dedication.

“Volunteers play a crucial role in keeping our green spaces thriving, and their efforts today will make a lasting impact on both the environment and the local community.

“We encourage everyone to come down and see the transformation for themselves, connect with nature, and experience the peaceful retreat we've created right here in the heart of Birmingham.”

Openreach’s involvement in this project is part of its broader commitment to connecting communities across the West Midlands.

The company, which employs over 3,000 people across the region, plays a key role in delivering fibre broadband to homes and businesses, enhancing connectivity in both urban centres and more remote areas.

The company remains on track to meet its goal of delivering full-fibre broadband to 25 million premises by the end of 2026, with the West Midlands playing a key role in this work.

Our commitment to achieving our Let’s Reach Zero goals includes encouraging colleagues to volunteer, fostering a nature-positive mindset, and equipping our team with valuable green skills and sustainability knowledge.

Local people can check if they can upgrade to full fibre by using the Openreach postcode checker, then contact their broadband provider to switch.