Guest blog: The Green Team unlocks potential in young people

In our latest guest blog, learn how KCCF small grantee The Green Team is providing opportunities for young people to take action against climate change and improve their health and wellbeing. Thank you to Jamie Leitch, Business Development Manager, for sharing this fascinating insight into their work.

The challenges of climate change and the depletion of our natural environment have been well documented in recent  times. Evidence shows that children and young people are keen to play a part in confronting these challenges – 81% of young people would like to do more to look after the environment.⁽¹⁾

The Green Team provides opportunities for young people, across Edinburgh and the Lothians, to take tangible steps to make a difference through environmental conservation tasks. At the same time, we see the positive benefits that connecting to nature, others and themselves, has for young people.

At a time where many young people are coping with poor mental health, neurodivergence, social isolation and other challenges, such interactions can be transformational. Despite this, a typical 14-year-old spends only 10 minutes a day in parks, beaches or the countryside but spends 290 minutes a day on the TV or internet.⁽²⁾

KCCF are supporting the Green Team’s Green Shoots programme and contributing to significant change for young people like Danny. The Green Shoots programme supports young people aged 11-14 who are experiencing challenges within their school or home lives to grow and develop in a safe and inclusive environment, in a natural setting.

Danny’s story

Danny first attended Green Shoots in February 2024 having been referred by his school as he had been finding school life difficult following the transition into High School. As Danny puts it when asked about getting involved with Green Shoots: “school wasn’t the very best at the time, and also, it just seemed interesting and I kinda needed it.”

The first project that Danny attended got involved in conservation activities, including removal of non-native invasive species, grassland management and litter picking, as well as fire-lighting, river-walking, outdoor cooking, relaxing in hammocks and Danny’s favourite activity, carving. Danny said “I learned how to carve and that was useful, carving is really fun.”

When asked about his greatest achievement on this project Danny responded that “At the start I was just ‘engaged’ but by the end I have completely adapted to be a mini wildlife enthusiast!”

The sense of group-togetherness and enjoyment also stand out in Danny’s reflections: “Absolutely amazing. Everybody was friendly which I only get sometimes… It was fun which was really good. It was just like a  really nice and a good environment to be around.”

Alongside the fun, people were noticing real development in Danny. Danny’s mum noted “I don’t think it’s simply a coincidence that his coping skills, resilience, confidence and practical abilities have improved to the point he is able to manage school like any other young person.”

And when asked if he thought Green Shoots had brought some change Danny stated “Oh yeah definitely. For a start I am more interested in nature, otherwise I would probably just sit on my computer even more than I do already. I think I can also chat properly instead of just putting a few words together and then making noises. It definitely boosted my confidence.”

In 2024 the Green Team, with the support of over 60 volunteers, worked with 2,253 children and young people like Danny – supporting them to learn more about the natural world, to develop skills such as teamwork and communication, to achieve awards (including the Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme), to make friends and enhance wellbeing. Each young person is unique but we hope, and believe, that all can take something positive from their Green Team experience. As one young person beautifully put it:

I’ve moved from black and white thinking to seeing yellow and green colours – inside of myself and everything around me.  I’ve learned that nature is part of life and is important.  I feel more confident and have learned skills such as: lighting a fire, how to camp, how to work with people, how to be patient, and helping people. Talking to each other, laughing, playing games and eating lunch together were all special moments.  The laughter and craziness connected us. This project has encouraged me to go out more, and I am going on more weekly walks which makes me feel good!

Find out more about The Green Team

Sources:

(1) The Children’s Nature and People Survey (Natural England, 2021)

(2) The ONS: Childrens engagement with the outdoors and sports activities (2018) and A. Guttman: Weekly hours of media consumption by children in the UK (2023)