Young people’s mental health improves when they spend time outdoors, according to evaluation of a green social action scheme involving thousands of young people across England.
Young people’s wellbeing improves and they feel more connected to nature if they are able to get out and about in their local environment and take actio.
Youngsters across the TYNE VALLEY will be able to follow in the footsteps of Greta Thunberg by becoming ‘green influencers’ after funding from The Ernest Cook Trust. The Northumberland Wildlife Trust have been able to benefit from the grant to employ a ‘Green Mentor’ who will work with young people to create a series of social action projects within their local area. Open to children aged 10-14, the Green Influencers Scheme has been created using the #iwill Fund and has been backed by both The National Lottery Community Fund and the Department of Culture Media & Sport. The project has seen 36 host organisations across the country selected to host 40 Green Mentors funded for by the grants to help lead their local community to protect the environment and tackle climate change.
St Nicks, Rawdon Avenue in York, has secured funding for a green mentor to work with young people. A NATURE reserve has received a cash boost to help encourage young people in York to become green influencers . St Nicks Centre for Nature and Green Living will receive £18,000 annually for the next two years from the Ernest Cook Trust educational charity to support the employment of a green mentor. The new post will enable children, aged 10 to 14, across the city to follow in Greta Thunberg’s footsteps and get involved in community social action projects. Freya Lovett, who will take on the green mentor role, will work with young people on projects to protect and enhance the local environment and tackle climate change.