HARD-working members of charity Just-the-Job recently took part in a national campaign to protect birds.

The sound of saws, hammers and drills resonated around their workshop on Richmond's Gallowfields Trading Estate, as the workforce supported National Bird Box Week.

Under the watchful eye of the group’s occupational therapist Clare Atkinson and student occupational therapist Simon Little, they carefully followed plans provided by the British Trust for Ornithology.

Simon said: “When members of Just-the-Job heard about the campaign they couldn’t wait to get started. Bird boxes are a vital part of the conservation of breeding birds because natural nest sites such as holes in trees or old buildings are disappearing fast.

“The idea is to encourage everyone to put up nest boxes in their local area.”

He said some of the boxes would be placed in the charity’s own woodland and horticultural area and any surplus stock would be offered for sale to the public at £8 per box.

Just-the-Job, a non-profit-making social enterprise, was set up 11 years ago in Richmond, to provide useful work for adults with disabilities and the income earned is used to fund the charity. Members divide their time between gardening in the summer, logging in the winter and producing natural crafts and studying for work-skills qualifications.