Our youth participation programme en:volve (click here for en:volve website) covers the whole of Sheffield and Rotherham, and aims to engage 11 to 25 year olds from a range of backgrounds in exciting and practical environmental projects.
Individual projects are designed for specific age groups, and focus on such areas as environmental citizenship; bio-diversity and our local and national heritage; regenerating parks and green spaces; recycling and fair trade. Our projects generally take place outside school hours, and all aim to be as participative as possible, encouraging young people to contribute and implement their own ideas, and to learn valuable life skills like team working and leadership along the way.
East Peak for Young People project
The East Peak for Young People project is looking to consult with young people aged 11-16 who live in the East Peak about how they feel about their area and what activities they would like to see – this will help to plan a variety of environmental activities that will be happening over the area over the next 18 months. Stay updated by visiting www.envolvesheffield.org
Areas of the East Peak include North Sheffield (inc. Stannington, High Bradfield, Chapletown), Penistone & District (inc. Silkstone Common, Thurgoland, Hazelhead) and Kirkburton & Denby Dale (inc. Highburton, Flockton, Shepley).
If you are aged 11-16 and live in any of the areas mentioned click on the link to the online survey and have your say!
Click here for survey
En:Volve Promo from Manto Creative Media on Vimeo.
Environmental Citizenship
This three year Big Lottery funded project works with existing youth groups on a short-term basis. Already, we have worked with 122 young people, 35 of whom have gained accreditation through ASDAN, the nationally recognised youth scheme. Under this banner young people have made a short film about their local green spaces, created mini-gardens for Broomhall in Bloom and run a fishing scheme, so people can fish legally. More recently, we have visited local nature reserves and notable green spaces with a group of young asylum seekers and refugees who have also had the chance to learn woodland crafts. Contact Shelley Burrell on 0114 263 4335 or envolve@wildsheffield.com for more information.
Projects for 16 to 25 year olds
V- Project With funding from volunteering charity V we run practical environmental projects for young people who might otherwise be overlooked. These have included creating a school garden and vegetable growing with autistic young people from Bents Green; and activities like fence building and habitat creation with homeless young people at Blackburn Meadows Nature Reserve. Twenty-two young people have gained an NVQ unit as a result of this project, and all have been inspired to improve their own garden at Rushhouse Hostel. Contact Stephen Carding on 0114 263 4335, email envolve@wildsheffield.com for more information.
Blacka Moor Youth Action Young people from all backgrounds help with practical tasks – tree clearance, bird surveys and building drystone walls – and learn habitat management and survival skills in the process. Funded by V and Veolia Environmental Services, the project also enables young people to gain the John Muir award for conversation. To find out more contact Will Ferraby on 0114 263 4335, email envolve@wildsheffield.com.
Earthwatch
This scheme for 13 to 19 year olds is based at Moss Valley Woodland, and encourages them to explore, enjoy and exploit the woodland’s resources. The young people learn basic skills like knot tying and using tools safely, and use these skills on increasingly complex projects like shelter building. This project is funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund. Contact Will Ferraby on 0114 263 4335, email envolve@wildsheffield.com for more information.
Training and Consultancy Services
Our youth participation team offers a wide range of consultancy services and training courses. For our full programme of courses, and more details of our consultancy services, contact Jonathan Turner on 0114 263 4335, email envolve@wildsheffield.com.
