At the Isle of Wight College, our Uniformed Public Services (UPS) students are training for more than a job—they're preparing for a life of leadership, resilience, and community service. A key part of that preparation is learning through real-world experiences that make a meaningful difference.
Over the years, our students have been involved in countless community initiatives—from loading lorries of humanitarian aid for Ukraine to building galvanised seating on the East Cowes seafront. These projects aren’t just about giving back—they’re about building confidence, developing teamwork, and applying practical skills outside the classroom.
Partnering with Wight Nature Fund: Conservation in Action
For the second year running, our UPS students have partnered with the Wight Nature Fund to support their 10-year woodland conservation project at the stunning Mill Copse, just outside Yarmouth.
Mill Copse is a biodiverse ancient woodland undergoing careful restoration through the traditional practice of hazel coppicing. This method—cutting hazel back to ground level in cycles—encourages healthy regrowth, lets light flood the woodland floor, and revitalises native species like bluebells, which lie dormant until conditions are right for them to bloom.
Learning Through Hard Work in the Outdoors
Our students worked in all weathers, getting hands-on with:
Hazel coppicing
Selecting rods for woodland crafts
Constructing living and dead hedges
What’s the difference?
Living hedges are woven from flexible hazel and grow into natural boundaries that shelter birds and wildlife.
Dead hedges use cut branches and off-cuts, forming rich habitats for insects, nesting birds, and small mammals. They also protect delicate areas, such as regenerating bluebells.
These are not easy tasks—but our students showed incredible determination, teamwork, and resilience, even when the weather turned. Thankfully, the final week of the project was met with glorious sunshine, giving students the perfect conditions to build a large dead hedge to protect a sensitive bluebell area.
Skills That Go Beyond the Classroom
This long-term partnership is more than conservation—it’s also education. Students gained valuable, career-relevant skills in:
Tool use and outdoor safety
Teamwork under pressure
Effective communication
Problem-solving in unfamiliar environments
Environmental responsibility
Leadership and peer support
These attributes are essential for anyone considering a future in the police, fire service, armed forces, or other uniformed services. Most importantly, our students led by example, showing commitment not just to each other, but to their local environment.
Helping Wildlife, One Hedge at a Time
The work at Mill Copse isn’t just for people—it’s creating real impact for wildlife too. One key beneficiary is the endangered harvest mouse (Micromys minutus). These tiny creatures rely on dense undergrowth and hedgerows for nesting and protection from predators.
By restoring hazel coppice and building thick, protective hedges, our students are helping reverse the decline of vital habitats—providing safe, sustainable homes for local wildlife.
Proud to Serve the Island Community
We couldn’t be prouder of our students. Their dedication, hard work, and community spirit continue to inspire us. The Mill Copse project has become a symbol of what the Uniformed Public Services course at the Isle of Wight College represents: character, service, teamwork, and leadership.
As this 10-year conservation initiative continues, so will our commitment—supporting both the woodland and the students who are helping shape its future.
Together, we’re making a difference—for the community, for the environment, and for the generations still to come.
