Bath and NE Somerset residents are being urged to give the birds, bees and other animals in their neighbourhood a helping hand this winter by Metro Mayor Dan Norris.  

Mayor Norris met some of the 50 young people in Bath and NE Somerset, and across the West of England, making a difference to local wildlife while learning crucial life skills thanks to a £50,000 programme from The Prince's Trust charity - fully funded by his West of England Authority.  

The Bath and NE Somerset 16-25-year-olds are learning how to make super-festive bird feeders like fat cakes to keep our feathered friends happy and full over the winter as well as other simple changes to share the holiday spirit with animals.  

Other ideas including opting for 'greener' gifts this year - give the gifts of seeds for planting in the spring - as well as steering clear of glitter which is difficult to recycle.  

This is all part of a three-week training course run by The Prince's Trust - founded in 1976 by His Majesty the King - which is seeing the West of England youngsters take part in activities including a 'Get Started with Nature programme at Grow Wilder before then getting support to help them into work or go back into education.  

Rosie Kinnear, Youth Development Lead at The Prince's Trust, said: 'It's amazing how transformative participating in a project like this can be. Our individually tailored personal development programme combines one-to-one support with positive activities such as conservation talks and willow-weaving bird feeders at Grow Wilder. With a focus on well-being, young people build their confidence, resilience, make new friends, learn new skills and start to have a more positive mindset about planning for their future."   

The Avon Wildlife Trust, who run the Grow Wilder site, are encouraging even more people to have a wildlife-friendly Christmas this year by producing a top 12 tips factsheet.  

1. Put up a bird table and provide fatty foods like sunflower seeds and peanuts. It could make all the difference to the wildlife in your garden.   
2. Support garden birds – any help you can provide would be invaluable  
3. Enjoy the overwintering birds while they're here. Head to our viewpoint at Chew Valley Lake, where there's always a fine range of winter wildlife to see  
4. Plant a holly bush in your garden or in a pot. The berries provide essential food for birds, and ivy nectar is a great winter nectar source for insects.  
5. The berries of this parasite plant are a favourite of birds such as Blackcaps, which eat the fat-rich pith. You can help it to spread by growing it in your own garden. Extract the seeds from the berries of a cutting and wipe them on a young branch of a suitable tree, such as an apple.  
6. Sadly, many of today's trees are not disposed of sustainably. The good news is, there are plenty of solutions like buying a tree in a pot, and planting it outside when the festivities are over 
7. Instead of hanging sweets on the tree, why not avoid extra packaging by making your own gingerbread men, and hanging those up instead?  
8. Switching to LED Xmas lights will use 75% less energy than non-LED alternatives, and will last 25 times longer 
9. Decided to skip the Christmas tree tradition altogether this year? Give it a modern twist by planting a tree as a special gift for someone 
10. Use recycling wrapping paper. You could also replace wrapping paper with brown paper and string, or even old wallpaper  
11. Relax by going for a peaceful stroll in the outdoors – our reserves are open all year 
12. Finally, if you've missed anyone's Christmas present why not give the gift of membership to Avon Wildlife Trust?