Travelling Light Youth Champions

We’re supporting a youth engagement project with King Edward’s School in Sheffield, facilitated by Students Organising for Sustainability (SOS). The project supports 4 groups of 5 students, from years 7-9 (ages 11-14), to become Travelling Light Youth Champions. The programme started on 26 April and includes a training day, an experience day and a presentation day for young people.

In June the students travelled to Hope Valley by public transport to meet with peers at Hope Valley College and discuss travel and transport opportunities and solutions together. The group have been learning about sustainability and climate justice, problem solving, and “teach the teacher” sessions.

The Youth Champions presented their campaigns at school on Friday 23 June, in front of Councillors, Derbyshire County Council  representatives, HVCA Trustee Jeremy Wight and Travelling Light Project Leader Marianne Quick. Campaigns included ‘The Green Fighters’ who are fighting for their right to allow easy access for young people from the age of 11-16 to access the Peak District; and Wildlife Wanderers who designed their own nature walk as a result of the project. 

A more detailed report on the youth project will be presented in due course and will detail the campaigns the young people designed. 

Marianne says: “Travelling Light wanted to give the opportunity to a group of young people to share their perspectives and their experiences around sustainable travel and access to nature. Young people’s voices aren’t always taken into account when it comes to sustainable travel and transport planning and solutions. Having young people involved in creating solutions and developing campaigns to address the climate crisis is critical if we are to build sustainable action and advocacy into the future.”
 
Fantastic work everyone!

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