Rain garden creates wildlife habitat at Swansea Vale

Rain gardens are being planted at the heart of a city community to reduce the risk of flooding and improve habitats for wildlife.

The Wildlife Trust has teamed up with Swansea Council’s Swansea Vale Resource Centre to install Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS) at the facility to improve the way they deal with rainfall and inspire the community to be more sustainable too.

SuDS mimic the countryside in our towns and cities by using features such as ponds and green roofs, which intercept rain water as it falls, storing it in periods of high rainfall and removing pollutants from water. This reduces the risk of flooding and prevents damage to our wildlife.

The Trust is working with New Horizons, a support organisation for people with disabilities based at the centre, to clear the way for rain garden planters beneath downpipes to capture rainwater that would otherwise have gone straight down the drain.

They will be planted with native, nectar-rich plants, providing food for invertebrates such as butterflies and bumblebees.

Cllr Jane Harris, Swansea Council’s Cabinet Member for Services for Adults and Vulnerable People, said: “Swansea Vale Resource Centre is going to be among the front-runners for this project to deal with rainwater in a more sustainable way in our city, which is great news.

“Our service users and staff are really enthusiastic about the challenge and will be putting every effort into making it work and inspiring others to so the same.”

Rose Revera, People and Wildlife Officer for the Wildlife Trust of South and West Wales, said: “The Wildlife Trust aims to protect and create wildlife habitats, and inspire individuals to take action for wildlife and the environment.

“Working with Natural Resources Wales, we have been identifying areas in Swansea which would benefit from SuDS and are delighted that Swansea Vale Resource Centre has come on board.

“Rain gardens are the perfect way to make your garden work for water and wildlife. They come in many shapes and sizes, but all have a common goal that is to capture water in a beautiful and wildlife-friendly way.

“We hope they will inspire people living around the centre and beyond to create one at their own home.”

Swansea Vale Resource Centre is run by Swansea Council’s social services team and partners including volunteer agencies and offers a range of services for adults with disabilities,  including specialised support for people with hearing or sight loss.