‘Take comfort in nature’ – Portsmouth schoolgirl's lockdown message in nationally published depiction of spring

Whether enjoying the garden dawn chorus in spring sunshine or taking in a permitted period of exercise in a local park, one primary schoolgirl from Milton has captured the calming comfort that nature can bring during this difficult time.

Sakina Yousif, 10, who attends Fernhurst Junior School, has seen her depiction of spring receive national acclaim after being published by the National Trust and the Arts and Humanities Research Council in their online magazine, Spring Diary.

Budding authors were charged with the task of producing a piece of writing which encapsulates the ‘arrival of spring’.

Sakina said: ‘Spring is my favourite time of year. It’s so colourful and I love to see all the new life with flowers blooming and animals being born.’

One of the key elements of Sakina’s piece is how even with current restrictions on movement, the season can be enjoyed through people’s gardens.

Sakina wrote: ‘There is so much life in one's tiny outdoor space and we just don't realise, whether it's some teeny tiny ants or a family of mice in our compost heaps.’

One of the underlying themes Sakina wanted to relay was the comfort that nature can provide during the challenges of lockdown.

‘Whether it’s the bees in the flowers or birds building their nests there’s so much to see. The garden is a great place for chilling and enjoying nature. It provides an element of calm and comfort,’ she said.

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It’s a sentiment shared by mum, Rosy Bremer.

Rosy, 48, said: ‘Nature’s pre-programmed calmness is vital and reassuring at this time. People being off work also allows more time to take in the natural world. Hopefully when this situation is over we’ll learn to be kinder to nature.’

Rosy decided to get Sakina to submit her entry after reading about the initiative in a newspaper while ‘looking for activities to do whilst the schools are closed’.

After being told her piece was to be published, Sakina said: ‘It was a big shock and I was really surprised.’

Sanika’s Description of the Arrival of Spring (published in the Spring Nature Diary)

As I look out my bedroom window I find myself awaking to the sound of house sparrows chirping, bees buzzing and little children running around. I feel a warm sunbeam hit my face. Spring has arrived. In these uncertain times my mother would be completely bonkers without her lovely garden and all thethings that need doing. There is so much life in one's tiny outdoor space and we just don't realise, whether it's some teeny tiny ants or a family of mice in our compost heaps. Opening my back door, the glistening green grass sways in the breeze, some red tulips catch my eye there petals nearly uncurled. The beauty of flowers is amazing and so is the natural world.