In the occupational therapy wood workshop at the CIMH, children and young people learn how to handle and work with different materials and tools in group and individual lessons. In the process, they gain their first experience of craftsmanship and implement creative ideas and projects.

Together with occupational therapists Peter Volkmar and Andreas Zinke, patients from the child and adolescent psychiatric ward (KJP) built ten bird nesting boxes based on instructions from NABU. Children and young people from all wards of the KJP and the day clinic took part in the project. "It's important to us that the objects we make have a practical use and are meaningful," says Peter Volkmar. This was also the case when building the nesting boxes: the children and young people actively contribute to bird and nature conservation and learn about the lifestyles of different birds.

A home for sparrows and titmice

The nesting boxes were handed over to Jan Ludwigs (left) from NABU Mannheim by Antje Breisacher (photo right), head of occupational therapy, and Peter Volkmar (center), occupational therapist in the wood workshop. NABU is now distributing the nesting boxes at suitable locations in the Mannheim area to provide birds with a safe haven. "It is becoming increasingly difficult for some bird species to find suitable nesting sites. That's why it's important to help with nesting boxes. House sparrows, also known as sparrows, and titmice in particular will feel very much at home in them," says Jan Ludwigs.