Projects

Mansfield Wildlife Rescue

Completed: 2026
Location: Mansfield
Region: East Midlands
Other local partners: Dulux, High Park Timber, Mansfield District Council - (UKSPF)

About the project

Mansfield Wildlife Rescue is a registered charity dedicated to rescuing, rehabilitating and caring for injured, abandoned and orphaned native wildlife across Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire, South Yorkshire and Lincolnshire.

With support from Mansfield District Council via the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF), a previously unused woodland area on site has now been transformed into an engaging outdoor play and exploration space for children.

The project:

At Mansfield Wildlife Rescue, VIY delivered a series of outdoor improvements to create a fun, nature-based play environment that encourages exploration, creativity and active play. The East Midlands team took time to carefully design the space around how children naturally explore and interact with outdoor environments, helping to create an engaging and imaginative play experience.

Key works included:

  • Construction of a large timber teepee play structure
  • Creation of a castle-themed adventure play area
  • Installation of A-frame climbing structures and balance beams
  • Development of a fire pit and gathering space
  • Repurposing an old wooden wheel found on site into a unique slide with steps, giving new life to existing materials while celebrating the site’s history
  • Entrance improvements with new sleeper edging to replace a muddy and uneven pathway with a safer, more welcoming access route

All timber features were built for long-term use and treated with Dulux exterior stains and preservatives to help protect them from the weather and ensure the space can be enjoyed for years to come.

Community impact:

The new play area has brought a previously unused part of the site to life, giving children and families a fun and engaging space to explore, play and connect with nature.

The venue has since shared a video of the space in use and some lovely feedback – and it’s really special seeing children experience it for the first time. Watch it here.

The young people:

15 young people took part in the Mansfield Wildlife Rescue project, developing practical skills while helping to transform an unused woodland area into a welcoming play and exploration space.

14  Entry Level 3 City & Guilds accreditations were achieved by the young people involved.

What young people have to say about the experience:

‘”I really enjoyed getting my hands dirty and learning from my mistakes, improving my eye for detail. Working alongside mentor Kane who is amazing and supported and treated us as equals not children – the wildlife rescue itself is very welcoming place with very friendly people”

‘”I really enjoyed working with VIY, it was really good and I enjoyed working with the mentors. It was my sort of thing working with my hands as I like that kind of work rather than paperwork’

I just wanted to share a few words on the impact VIY has had through your recent project with us at Mansfield Wildlife Rescue. The transformation of our woodland space has been fantastic – what was once an underused area is now a welcoming, accessible place where visitors can sit, relax, and enjoy nature. The addition of the play area has made a real difference for families, giving children the opportunity to engage with the outdoors in a fun and meaningful way while visiting the site and café. Working with you, the mentors, and the young people has been an incredibly positive experience. Everyone involved was professional, supportive, and clearly passionate about what they do. It was especially rewarding to see the young adults develop their skills and confidence throughout the project, and to know they’ve contributed to something that will benefit the community for years to come. Cheryl Martins - Mansfield Wildlife Founder And Manager