Nature reserves to be immortalised in soundscapes

Natasha Hemsley from Northumberland Wildlife Trust has recorded nature sounds and people's stories

A soundscape is being created to help people who cannot access outdoor spaces "immerse themselves in nature".

Northumberland Wildlife Trust is also inviting people to share their stories of its nature reserves and create a lasting record of life at the sites.

An officer for the project said a recording session at Northumberlandia country park was "powerful", "beautiful" and "emotive".

The next recording session will be held at Hauxley Nature Reserve on Wednesday 22 May.

The Nextdoor Nature people and nature project, which is funded by The National Lottery Heritage Fund, is working with the Later Life Audio and Radio Co-operative (LLARC) to create sounds for a podcast.

Nextdoor Nature officer at Northumberland Wildlife Trust, Natasha Hemsley said the project collected ordinary "voices and sounds of nature".

"So if you're sat in your garden, what birds would you hear? Is there a plane going over? Whether there's scuffling in the ground of an animal that you can't see, or things using the water, it's nice to collect all those noises and just immerse yourself in the experience of being outdoors," she said.

Northumberlandia is one of the trusts' most popular nature reserves

Ms Hemsley said she was approached by LLARC, an organisation run by volunteers which helped create radio for older people, which said it had a "whole community" of people who wanted to do something about nature.

She added that podcasts were a "nice way to be there, if you're not there".

A session has already been held at Northumberlandia where locals walked around and were recorded as they spoke about their connection to the site.

"We had a lovely lady who has lived locally for about 20 years, so has seen the site transform from its industrial past into a really nice community and nature space for people," Ms Hemsley said.

She said collecting stories was important as there was a big chance they could be lost over time.

"It's quite powerful, the stories, and what you're listening to is quite beautiful and emotive."

People living near Hauxley nature reserve are being invited to attend the next recording session on Wednesday 22 May between 13:30 and 15:30 BST.

"We want people to join us and share their stories, whether they've lived there for ten years or just discovered the site recently," Ms Hemsley said. "Nature should be experienced by everybody."