Young people’s mental health, self-confidence and employability were boosted by involvement in nature-related projects across the UK, according to a report on a £33m programme.
More than 128,000 people aged 11 to 24 participated in the our bright future scheme. The 31 projects enhanced 3,000 community spaces and created 350 nature-rich areas, from a vandalized graveyard in Hull to a reclaimed quarry in County Down. The program was run by the Wildlife Trusts and funded by the National Lottery Community Fund.
Nearly all participants (95%) felt their confidence had improved by participating, while 86% said their mental health had improved. Two-thirds said their appreciation of the natural world and belief that they could make a difference in their local environment had increased significantly.
The community garden at St Hilda’s Church in Hull had long been littered and a hotbed of anti-social behaviour. It is now a wildlife area with flowers to attract butterflies and a pond for amphibians. Wild flower seeds and native grasses from a nearby nature reserve were used to restore Aughrim Quarry in County Down.
Craig Bennett, CEO of the Wildlife Trusts, said: “Our natural world is the foundation of our society, but it is under great pressure.
“This report shows how important it is to give young people hands-on experience in learning about nature and the weather. We need to foster a new generation of green leaders to find solutions to the biggest environmental challenges of our time.”
James Stubbs was involved in the One Planet Pioneers project in Middlesbrough when he was 19, which developed the skills of young people through environmental projects. He said of the scheme: “It gave me the opportunity to start a career in a sector that I had always been passionate about.
“Having spent 19 of the 24 months unemployed since I left university, this is something I never thought would happen.”
Stubbs now works as a project officer for Sustrans, promoting cycling.
The Our Bright Future program led nearly 9,000 young people to gain qualifications and 1,600 to gain work experience. The report, produced by assessors from the Collingwood Environmental Planning and Economic Research Service, also found that more than 200 young entrepreneurs had started businesses or social enterprises, including one selling jewelry made from items found during beach trash cleanups.
spend time in forests, wetlands and other natural spaces has been shown to improve mental health and reduce loneliness in cities. Another recent study found that a a two-hour weekly “dose” of nature significantly improved health and wellness
The Liz Truss government has been harshly criticized by the nation’s leading nature and farm organizations about plans to reduce regulations that protect the environment.
Mya-Rose Craig, the founder of Black2Nature and a Wildlife Trusts ambassador, said: “Access to nature has a profound effect not only on young people’s environmental awareness, but also on their physical and mental well-being. I hope that others recognize that there is a huge appetite among young people to work for a better future for all of us.”
