As an ex-beekeeper, yes it is an excellent source for winter, flowering late and full of nectar. On buildings it is a pain and can do a lot of damage, however there is a concrete post set in my lawn to support a washing line with a great thick trunk of ivy growing up it and cut into a lollipop shape at the top. When it is in flower it is swarming with bees and other insects, and as the berries get ripe the birds love them. Surrounded by mowed grass it does no harm and I trim it into shape with the hedge cutter every so often, much nicer than the bare concrete post would be. I expect the bird droppings spread the seeds about a bit, but nothing I can't cope with.