Award-Winning Heal the Land Documentary Brings Inspiring Rewilding Story to London

Credit Tom Francome Sunrise

An inspiring documentary showcasing the remarkable transformation of a former intensive dairy farm into a flourishing wildlife haven is coming to London next month, offering audiences a powerful reminder that nature can recover when given the opportunity.

National charity Heal Rewilding will host a special screening of its award-winning documentary Heal the Land on Wednesday 1 July 2026 at the London offices of Slaughter and May. The evening promises to be an uplifting celebration of environmental restoration, biodiversity and hope for the future.

Guests will enjoy complimentary drinks and canapés before watching the 25-minute film, followed by a live question-and-answer session featuring members of the Heal Rewilding team alongside the documentary's director.

Filmed throughout 2024 at Heal Somerset, the documentary follows the early stages of the charity's ambitious project to restore a once ecologically depleted dairy farm into a thriving landscape for wildlife and people. Through breathtaking cinematography and intimate access to the site, viewers witness the challenges, successes and unexpected discoveries that come with allowing nature to reclaim the land.

The film highlights the rapid return of wildlife, the creation of diverse habitats and the resilience of natural ecosystems. At a time when England remains one of the world's most nature-depleted countries, Heal the Land offers compelling evidence that meaningful ecological recovery is achievable.

The documentary was produced by wildlife filmmakers Tom Francome of Planet House Productions and Hayley Smith of Pictus Productions, who volunteered more than 100 days of their time to create the film. 

Post-production was completed free of charge by Bristol-based Films@59, whose award-winning team has worked on celebrated Sir David Attenborough productions including Planet Earth II and Blue Planet II.

Following the screening, attendees will hear from Heal Rewilding CEO Jan Stannard, Rewilding Ranger Daniel Hill and director Tom Francome during a discussion hosted by Heal Rewilding Director Sarah Winchester. The panel will explore the opportunities and challenges facing rewilding projects across the UK and discuss the lessons emerging from Heal Somerset's ongoing transformation.

Sarah Winchester told That's Green: "Heal the Land is ultimately a story about hope. It shows what can happen when we give nature the chance to recover and demonstrates that meaningful change is possible, even in landscapes that have been intensively managed for decades."

The evening will also provide opportunities for networking with others passionate about biodiversity, climate action and nature recovery.

Tickets cost £18 per person, making this an excellent opportunity for anyone interested in seeing first-hand how rewilding is helping restore Britain's natural heritage.

What: Screening of Heal the Land and live Q&A

When: Wednesday 1 July 2026

Where: Slaughter and May, London, EC1Y 8YY

Tickets: £18

https://www.healrewilding.org.uk/

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New Borehole Project Brings Clean Water and New Hope to Nigerian Community

Over 400 people in the community of Ido-Osun, Osun State, Nigeria, are now enjoying reliable access to safe drinking water following the completion of a new borehole project by UK-registered charity Hope Spring Water.

The Ido-Osun Borehole Project has transformed daily life for local families who, for many years, depended on unsafe ponds, uncovered wells and seasonal streams for their water supply. 

Funded through donations from Hope Spring eCards, supporters and volunteers, the project highlights how relatively small contributions can make an enormous difference to communities in need.

Before the borehole was installed, collecting water was a daily struggle. Many women and children walked long distances every morning, often before sunrise, simply to collect enough water for drinking, cooking and washing. The time spent fetching water frequently affected children's education and limited opportunities for work and family life.

Resident Fatima described the impact of the new water source.

"Before, I woke before sunrise every day to fetch water from a pond nearly thirty minutes away. Today, I walked only a few minutes to collect clean water close to my home. My children now leave for school on time, and our daily lives have completely changed."

The charity worked closely with local leaders, teachers, healthcare workers and community groups before construction began, ensuring the project reflected local needs. Residents also helped select the borehole location and formed a local water management committee to help maintain the facility for years to come.

Drilling started in May 2026 and reached around 120 metres to access a sustainable underground aquifer capable of providing clean water throughout the year. The completed installation includes a 1,500-litre elevated storage tank, concrete collection areas and improved drainage to promote hygiene and minimise contamination.

The benefits are already becoming apparent. Local healthcare workers report a noticeable reduction in cases of diarrhoea since the borehole became operational, while teachers say pupils are arriving at school earlier, healthier and ready to learn instead of spending hours collecting water.

Although the project faced challenges, including difficult rock formations and weather-related construction delays, it was successfully completed in June 2026.

Hope Spring says millions of people across Nigeria still lack access to safely managed drinking water, and hopes additional donations will enable similar projects to be delivered in more underserved communities across Africa.

Access to clean water is about far more than convenience. It improves health, supports education, strengthens local economies and gives communities the opportunity to build a healthier, more sustainable future.

https://www.hopespring.org.uk

New Solar Technology Could Boost Household Savings by 41%, New Analysis Reveals

Homeowners considering solar energy could now save significantly more on their electricity bills than they would have just five years ago, according to new research from renewable energy specialist MakeMyHouseGreen.com

The company's latest modelling suggests a typical household installing solar panels today could save around £1,285 per year, compared with approximately £913 annually from an equivalent installation in 2021. 

That represents a substantial 41% increase in potential savings.

The findings come from a reassessment of 240 British homes originally analysed in 2021. Importantly, the roof size, orientation and pitch of each property remained unchanged, meaning the increase in projected savings comes primarily from advances in solar technology rather than larger installations.

Over the past five years, solar panels have become significantly more powerful. Typical panel output has increased from around 365 watts to 480 watts, enabling homeowners to generate far more electricity from the same roof space. Across the homes studied, average annual electricity generation rose from 4,851 kWh to 6,394 kWh.

At the same time, the value of that electricity has increased. Household energy prices remain considerably higher than they were before the energy crisis, meaning every unit of electricity generated and consumed at home delivers greater financial benefits.

Llewellyn Kinch, founder and CEO of MakeMyHouseGreen, says two major factors are driving the improvement. He told That's Green: "The panels are more powerful, so the same roof area delivers higher output. At the same time, the grid electricity that solar replaces costs more, so every unit you generate yourself is more valuable."

However, Kinch stresses that solar isn't automatically the right solution for every property. Installation costs have also risen, and factors including roof orientation, shading and household energy usage patterns can significantly affect the return on investment.

For most homeowners, the key question remains whether their property is suitable for solar generation. While south-facing roofs are often considered ideal, east and west-facing roofs can also perform well. Heavy shading from nearby trees or buildings, however, can reduce effectiveness.

The research highlights how rapidly solar technology continues to improve and reinforces the growing role renewable energy can play in reducing household energy bills. For homeowners with a suitable roof and sufficient daytime electricity usage, solar power may now offer better value than ever before, while also helping to reduce reliance on fossil fuels and lower household carbon emissions.

As energy prices remain unpredictable, generating your own electricity is becoming an increasingly attractive option for many UK households.

GAP Group North East Opens New Yorkshire Facility to Strengthen UK Electrical Recycling Network

Electrical recycling specialist GAP Group North East is continuing its nationwide growth with the announcement of a new operational facility in Yorkshire, strengthening its ability to support businesses, local authorities and compliance partners across England and Wales.

The fully accredited electrical recycling and resource recovery provider already operates established processing facilities in Gateshead and Perthshire. 

The addition of a Yorkshire site marks another significant step in the company's long-term strategy to provide faster, more efficient and more accessible recycling services throughout the UK.

The new facility will serve as a central hub, improving coverage across Yorkshire, the Midlands, the South of England and Wales. By reducing collection distances and streamlining logistics, GAP Group North East aims to deliver quicker turnaround times and greater flexibility for customers managing waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE).

According to the company, the expansion has been driven by increasing customer demand and a commitment to ensuring consistent service standards regardless of location.

Nigel Tomlinson, Commercial Director at GAP Group North East, said the new site reflects the company's determination to provide customers with the highest levels of support and efficiency.

"As demand grows, our mission is to make sure every customer, wherever they are in the UK, receives the same level of service, speed and compliance support. The Yorkshire site is about us providing what our customers need."

The opening is expected to bring several practical benefits for organisations handling electrical waste. Reduced transport distances will help improve collection efficiency while potentially lowering vehicle mileage. Customers can also expect shorter lead times between collection requests and processing, helping businesses meet project deadlines and compliance obligations more effectively.

The additional capacity will also allow GAP Group North East to respond more quickly to urgent, large-scale or complex recycling requirements.

The move comes at a time when demand for responsible WEEE disposal continues to rise. Increasing environmental regulations and growing expectations around sustainability are encouraging organisations to work with trusted recycling partners capable of handling a wide range of electrical waste streams safely and compliantly.

From retailers carrying out store refurbishments to schools upgrading IT equipment, construction firms clearing sites and facilities management companies coordinating collections across multiple locations, organisations are facing increasing pressure to dispose of electrical waste responsibly.

By expanding its operational network, GAP Group North East is positioning itself to meet that demand while helping customers achieve their environmental goals. The Yorkshire facility represents not only a geographical expansion but also a commitment to supporting a more efficient and sustainable circular economy across the UK.

GAP Group North East is expanding with a new Yorkshire facility, improving electrical recycling services, WEEE compliance and resource recovery across the UK.

https://gapgroupuk.com

Animal Welfare Charities Unite to Support UK Rescue Centres Through Donate a Dinner Campaign

Naturewatch Foundation and Teckels Animal Sanctuaries have partnered for the 2026 World Animal Day Donate a Dinner campaign, supporting rescue animals across the UK.

Animal rescue centres across the UK are facing increasing challenges, from rising operating costs to growing numbers of abandoned pets. 

In response, two animal welfare organisations have joined forces to raise awareness and provide much-needed support for rescue animals waiting to find loving homes.

Naturewatch Foundation has announced that Gloucestershire-based Teckels Animal Sanctuaries will be its official charity partner for the 2026 World Animal Day Donate a Dinner campaign.

To mark the launch of the partnership, Naturewatch Foundation CEO Sarah Carr and members of the charity's team visited Teckels Animal Sanctuaries, presenting a £100 donation. The contribution will provide a meal for all 42 dogs currently being cared for at the sanctuary while they await adoption.

The visit offered a powerful reminder of the pressures rescue centres continue to face. Many organisations are dealing with increased demand, higher food and veterinary costs, and the long-term consequences of irresponsible and illegal breeding practices.

Among the dogs currently looking for homes at Teckels are three Pomeranians named Paula, Pearl and Podge. The trio were rescued from a property where around 120 dogs were reportedly being kept. Believed to be between eight and eleven years old, the dogs had never experienced everyday activities such as going for a walk outdoors before arriving at the sanctuary.

The Naturewatch team also met Apollo, a three-year-old Huntaway cross Husky, who is hoping to find his forever family.

World Animal Day takes place annually on 4 October and encourages people around the globe to take action to improve animal welfare. Naturewatch Foundation coordinates the international campaign and runs its popular Donate a Dinner initiative, which encourages individuals, businesses, schools and community groups to support local rescue centres by helping provide food and supplies for animals in their care.

Sarah Carr, CEO of Naturewatch Foundation and coordinator of World Animal Day, said she was delighted to visit Teckels and meet both the dedicated staff and the animals waiting for homes. She added that by launching the campaign early, the charity hopes organisations across the country will begin planning ways to support their local rescue centres on World Animal Day.

Chelsea Rogers, Social Media Manager at Teckels Animal Sanctuaries, welcomed the partnership, describing the support as invaluable at a time when the rising cost of living continues to impact rescue organisations.

More information about the 2026 Donate a Dinner campaign will be announced closer to World Animal Day. In the meantime, supporters can help their local rescue centres through donations, fundraising activities or by providing essential supplies.

Every meal donated can make a meaningful difference to an animal waiting for a second chance.

Heal Rewilding Partners with Great Yellow to Bring Biodiversity Net Gain Units to Market

Emma Lewis Supermoon

A major new partnership could help accelerate nature recovery across England while creating fresh opportunities for developers to meet their environmental obligations.

National charity Heal Rewilding has appointed Great Yellow to market and sell Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) units generated at its flagship Heal Somerset rewilding site. 

Over 600 high-quality BNG units are expected to be created overall, with over 170 units becoming available during the first phase of the project.

The collaboration brings together two organisations committed to restoring nature at scale while attracting long-term investment into environmental recovery projects.

Located on a 460-acre former dairy farm in Somerset, Heal Somerset was purchased by Heal Rewilding in December 2022 and is being transformed through nature-led recovery methods designed to restore habitats, rebuild wildlife populations and strengthen ecosystem health.

Biodiversity Net Gain was introduced under the Environment Act and requires most new developments in England to deliver at least a 10% measurable improvement in biodiversity compared with pre-development conditions. 

As demand for off-site BNG units continues to grow, projects such as Heal Somerset are becoming increasingly important in helping developers meet these requirements while supporting genuine environmental gains.

Heal Rewilding says it selected Great Yellow because of its strong alignment with the charity's values and its expertise in connecting high-integrity nature recovery projects with organisations seeking measurable environmental outcomes.

Jan Stannard, co-founder of Heal Rewilding, said the partnership reflects a shared commitment to integrity, transparency and long-term ecological ambition.

The charity believes that Biodiversity Net Gain can become a powerful mechanism for supporting large-scale nature recovery, provided projects are backed by credible management plans and measurable long-term outcomes.

The Somerset site is already delivering impressive results. Surveys have recorded 94 bird species, 17 bat species and 24 butterfly species since rewilding began. Heal also reports that the site supports nearly three times the abundance of small mammals compared with a nearby landholding.

Beyond helping wildlife, healthy ecosystems can provide wider benefits for communities and the environment, including improved soil quality, cleaner water, greater resilience to flooding and drought, increased carbon storage and stronger climate adaptation.

Great Yellow believes the partnership demonstrates how ambitious rewilding projects can provide developers with reliable, compliance-ready BNG units while delivering meaningful ecological improvements.

As nature recovery becomes an increasingly important national priority, Heal hopes the partnership will show how environmental markets can help channel investment into projects that benefit wildlife, communities and the climate for generations to come.

https://www.healrewilding.org.uk