As part of HW Martin Fencing and Forestry’s ongoing commitment to social value and environmental enhancement, a series of handcrafted bird boxes have been installed at Outwood Station in Wakefield. The initiative follows lineside vegetation clearance works completed under the DOL2 project in collaboration with Network Rail.
The bird boxes were carefully made by residents of HMP Springhill, an open prison in Oxfordshire, through a rehabilitation programme focused on developing practical skills and supporting personal growth. Through structured woodworking activities – measuring, cutting and assembling – participants gain hands-on experience that nurtures confidence, builds focus and supports future employability.
This collaborative effort delivers dual benefits: enhancing local biodiversity and supporting positive, long-term outcomes for individuals on a path to rehabilitation. Similar initiatives, such as the UK-wide “Prison Bird Box Project”, demonstrate how social and environmental objectives can be successfully aligned.
Looking ahead, HW Martin Fencing and Forestry is exploring further partnership opportunities with HMP Springhill and other community-led schemes, continuing to make a meaningful difference for people nature and the railway network.