West Suffolk College in Bury St Edmunds ‘proud’ to receive Silver Hedgehog Friendly Campus Status

West Suffolk College in Bury St Edmunds has received an award for its efforts in protecting hedgehogs.

The college, which is part of Eastern Education Group, was given ‘Silver Hedgehog Friendly Campus Status’ thanks to an ongoing campaign to protect this species, whose numbers have declined significantly in recent years.

This follows on from a bronze award last year – and now the educational establishment is putting its energy into claiming a gold award by 2025.

Jasmine Matthews, programme lead for level 3 animal management (year one), said she was ‘very proud’ of the award, adding it is great they do real-life conservation as part of their course programme.

She said: “We have made houses, changed college policies, we have been involved in tracking and we have introduced our hedgehog-friendly status into staff and student inductions.

“We have also put in some plants and water stations to help feed them and raised money for the hedgehog charity. It's all about changing the mindset of the college.”

In relation to future plans, she said: “We are now going for a gold award, so we will be building a decking area and pond by teaming up with construction students. We are also talking to our University & Professional Development Centre [also in Bury] and they are looking to get hedgehog friendly status too.”

Student Sophie Bishop, 17, from Thetford, who was involved in the project last year, said they learnt about the needs and welfare of hedgehogs during her animal studies course and they have been tracking them.

“It’s important we look after them, so they don’t become extinct,” she said.

Naomi Smythe, 17, also from Thetford and on a level three animal studies course, added: “I have learnt that people need to do more to help protect hedgehogs and not treat them as pests. We need to respect them if you see them on the roads.”

In terms of why she thinks others should get involved, Jasmine said: “Hedgehogs are now an endangered species and there are lots of misconceptions about them.

“So, my message is if you see one out in the day, be mindful of it and move it to a safe place or take it to a hedgehog charity.

“Leave food and water in the garden if you have them (but not milk as they are lactose intolerant) and rewild your garden if you can. Also, have a hole in your garden fence about the size of a CD so they can travel about.”