Swift Business (Bird Boxes for Swifts)
We did it
On 18th March 2024 we successfully raised £1,090 with 8 supporters in 42 days

Building Swift nest-boxes with community groups from recycled pallets as they are a RED listed endangered bird here in the UK.

by Chris Parr in Stoke-on-Trent, England, United Kingdom

 New stretch target

We have plans to SCALE UP our 'Swift Business' nest-box project across the UK as there will be other areas that would benefit from our venture. Extra funds would help our community interest company to connect with other groups and businesses nationwide. We would work with these communities to build our narrowboat themed products & further celebrate our canal & river heritage, help increase the Swift population while caring for the environment through recycling.


OUR CROWDFUNDER

Projects from Pallets CIC just love creating models of heritage from recycled wood. We also respect nature and the local environment so our recycling volunteers have come up with an ingenious way of celebrating all three. Our NEW project called Swift Business:

  • Celebrates Our Canal & River Heritage;
  • Helps Nature by Increasing the UK’s Swift Population; &
  • Cares for the Environment by Reducing Carbon Emissions Through Recycling.

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The Swift population has significantly reduced over the last few decades and they are now one of the UK’s most endangered birds. The Swift is classified as RED under the Birds of Conservation Concern List.

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CAN YOU HELP? We are looking for individual and group pledges, donations  & sponsors and envisage that businesses close to water will join us on this venture. 

Our new initiative helps these wonderful creatures by building them safe and secure homes throughout their nesting season from April to September

Our nest-boxes will be handmade by community groups from recycled wooden pallets therefore creating a circular economy story. They also generate a collective response to the problems of bird population, retaining an interest in heritage while reversing climate change.

Almost all Swifts nest in colonies and return to their nesting site each year. We are also looking to build communities of Swifts across the UK in the near future...

OUR PURPOSE

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Focusing on our canal & river heritage, we are co-creating our Swift nest-boxes in the style of narrowboats and positioning them close to our waterways.  

Even though Swifts can be seen flying high across the skies in our villages, towns and cities, they also gather over water to feed and their nest sites are now almost entirely in buildings underneath the eaves of houses, church towers or derelict buildings (some of which are heritage listed).

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However, it has become increasingly more difficult for the Swifts to find a home due to these buildings being demolished and new builds that seal all gaps and cover ventilation spaces.

Our Swift nest-boxes work around this problem as they are easy to position on a north to north east facing wall and facia boards several metres high.

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OUR PRODUCTS

Our nests are built to the measurements and specifications taken from the advice of trusts and organisations that focus on Swifts and their conservation. They include an inner concave section for the bird's eggs. Customers who support us through our rewards area have a number of options when purchasing.

These include our natural looking version, additional business logo or/and painted in your chosen colours by people from youth organisations, community groups and charities. We will contact you after your pledge to hear your preference.

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For that extra special design, we can also paint your narrowboat Swift nest-box in the theme of Roses and Castles; the eye-catching artwork seen on many of the canal barges up and down the UK's waterways. Read more about this colourful canal folk art below:

https://canalrivertrust.org.uk

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THE CLEANEST OF CREATURES

While Projects from Pallets CIC recycle business waste, the Swifts are also resourceful. They make little or no mess as the parent birds eat their chick’s droppings to recycle the mineral content

The adults themselves defecate away from the nest too so there is no need to worry about extra cleaning. In fact, we are aiming to clean up the planet and our waterways for everyone to enjoy whether for business or pleasure...

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Please support our project and show how the business community together with community interest companies  are helping to increase the Swift population  through art and recycling across in the UK...

Kind regards

Chris Parr: Stoke-on-Trent

The Prime Minister's 'Points of Light' recipient 2115 (https://www.pointsoflight.gov.uk/the-stoke-2000/)

BBC Environmental Award Winner (View on X formally known as Twitter)

Multi Award Winning Social Entrepreneur

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Rewards

This project offers rewards in return for your donation.

£50 or more

Reward 1 (Natural Colour Version)

Narrowboat Swift Nest Box (NATURAL COLOUR VERSION) Product is approximately: 75cm (L), 18cm (H), 20cm (D). Inside measurements 38cm (L) 15cm (H) 16cm (D) & includes an inner concave section for the bird's eggs. Thank-you for celebrating our canal & river heritage as well as helping nature by increasing the UK’s Swift population while caring for the environment by reducing carbon emissions through recycling.

£60 or more

Reward 2 (Painted OR Business Logo Version)

Narrowboat Swift Nest Box (Either Painted OR with your Business Logo on the front) Product is approximately: 75cm (L), 18cm (H), 20cm (D). Inside measurements 38cm (L) 15cm (H) 16cm (D) & includes an inner concave section for the bird's eggs. Thank-you for celebrating our canal & river heritage as well as helping nature by increasing the UK’s Swift population while caring for the environment by reducing carbon emissions through recycling.

£70 or more

Reward 3 (Painted AND Business Logo Version)

Narrowboat Swift Nest Box (Painted AND with your Business Logo on the front) Product is approximately: 75cm (L), 18cm (H), 20cm (D). Inside measurements 38cm (L) 15cm (H) 16cm (D) & includes an inner concave section for the bird's eggs. Thank-you for celebrating our canal & river heritage as well as helping nature by increasing the UK’s Swift population while caring for the environment by reducing carbon emissions through recycling.

£100 or more

Reward 4 (Roses & Castles Version)

Narrowboat Swift Nest Box (Painted in canal folk art AND your Business Logo on the front) Product is approximately: 75cm (L), 18cm (H), 20cm (D). Inside measurements 38cm (L) 15cm (H) 16cm (D) & includes a concave section for the bird's eggs. Thank-you for celebrating our canal & river heritage as well as helping nature by increasing the UK’s Swift population while caring for the environment by reducing carbon emissions through recycling.

£250 or more

Reward 5 (CSR Creative Workshop)

Using your company’s damaged or unwanted pallets, we will run a free workshop with your employees. A number of Swift nest boxes with your team will be co-created. Great for some publicity showing how the business is fulfilling its CSR, (corporate, social responsibility) to the community, nature and the environment.

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