Rita and I are pleased to support Hessle Hedgehog Rescue, because hedgehogs need a much bigger helping hand than many people realise.
They are quiet, mostly nocturnal and easy to miss, but they are an important part of our local wildlife. Sadly, modern gardens and roads are not always kind to them. Fences, traffic, garden chemicals, strimmers, netting and a lack of safe food and water can all make life harder.
At home, we try to do our bit in a practical way. We have our own hedgehog feeding stations in the garden and we put fresh water out as well. It is a simple thing, but it gives visiting hedgehogs a safer and more reliable place to feed and drink.
We are also very careful with Jack once evening approaches and it starts getting dark. Jack is a greyhound, so we are naturally alert to anything small moving about in the garden. That does not mean he has done anything wrong — it simply means we have a responsibility to manage things sensibly. Once dusk is approaching, we are more watchful because that is when hedgehogs are likely to be active.
That is probably the main message for me: helping hedgehogs does not have to be complicated. It is often about a few sensible habits repeated consistently.
A feeding station can help protect food from cats and larger animals. A shallow bowl of fresh water can make a real difference. A small gap in a fence can allow hedgehogs to move safely between gardens. Checking before strimming or clearing leaves can prevent awful injuries. Avoiding slug pellets and being careful with netting removes some of the hidden dangers.
Rita and I have also sponsored a pod to support the rescue’s work. That feels like a very practical way to help. Rescues like this need food, equipment, bedding, warmth, treatment, space and time. Sponsoring a pod helps support that quiet, steady work behind the scenes.
Our role is simple: support the rescue where we can, make our own garden safer and more welcoming, and share practical ideas that other people can act on.
I like wildlife support that is realistic. Not everyone can run a rescue. Not everyone has lots of spare time. But many of us can put water out, make a feeding station, leave a garden gap, be careful at dusk, and think twice before using tools or chemicals that could harm wildlife.
Small actions, done consistently, can make a real difference.