Backyard Nature Green Housing Youth Board

Last week [2 December] saw the launch of the Backyard Nature Green Youth Board made up of 20 young people living in communities nationwide, with more to join in 2022.

Supported by a consortium of seven housing associations led by Clarion Housing Group, and working in partnership with the #iwill Fund, these young environmentalists aged 5-25 will operate as a steering group to challenge the social housing sector to improve its approach to green spaces.

In an industry first, the Green Youth Board will also be distributing micro-grants to local environmental community projects.

Managing eco-anxiety in young people

With nearly 60% of young people globally reporting that they feel very worried or extremely worried about climate change, many are looking for ways to manage eco-anxiety. Experts recommend improving connections with nature, connecting with environmental action groups, and being empowered to make green choices. It is in this context that the Backyard Nature Green Youth Board launches, offering young people these impactful opportunities to engage and take action in their local area.

The Youth Board is one element of the Backyard Nature Green Housing Association Consortium, which will see housing associations working together to help improve the quality of and access to green spaces for children and their families. This will promote individual and collective wellbeing alongside the benefits to the environment.

The Backyard Nature Green Housing Association Consortium includes Catalyst Housing, Clarion Housing Group, Ebbsfleet Development Corporation, Hyde Housing, LiveWest, Phoenix Community Housing, Places for People, Sovereign Housing Association and Swan Housing Association and is match funded by the #iwill Fund.

 

The #iwill Fund is a £54 million joint investment between The National Lottery Community Fund and the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport (DCMS). Clarion Futures, the charitable foundation of Clarion Housing Group, is acting as a match funder and awarding grants on behalf of the #iwill Fund. The #iwill Fund supports young people to access high quality social action opportunities.

Engagement with conservation

Clare Miller, Chief Executive of Clarion Housing Group, said:

“Young people living in housing association homes and communities nationwide are passionate about the environment both globally and locally and we’re proud to be supporting them through this Consortium. We are looking forward to working with the Youth Board in ways that enable them to harness their power, become leaders in their own communities and challenge us all to do more to protect our planet.”

Cain, 21, from North London, said:

"I wanted to join the Green Youth Board because I care about climate change, and I know I could do and learn so much. It is a great opportunity to influence the whole sector to think differently."

This programme is part of Backyard Nature, a national campaign run by Semble and inspired by the Eco Emeralds, a group of environmental activist school children from Anfield in Liverpool. Backyard Nature is powered by the ethos that all children, no matter their background or experience, can protect nature. This is achieved by offering accessible resources and opportunities to children to foster positive and meaningful engagement with conservation.