Youth Board
Following on from the fantastic work that the Keeping it Wild Youth Forum achieved from 2018-2021 (including influencing our comms, Equality, Diversity & Inclusion work and creating the new Wild Youth Hub), we are placing youth voices right at the heart of the Trust’s governance structure in the form of a new Youth Board.
The Youth Board consists of 12 motivated young people (aged 16-25) who are passionate about London’s wildlife and amplifying young people’s voices. Members are also part of our mentoring scheme with Youth Board members being paired up with Trustees and Senior Management team, meeting to discuss goals every 6 weeks.
We meet 12 times throughout the year on the first week of every month in person to discuss a range of agendas and advocate for the environment and young people. Our Youth Board members act as representatives for the project at events, get involved in workshops and campaigns, curate events, feed into London Wildlife Trust’s communication and youth strategy and create content including blogs, podcasts and films.
Achievements of the Youth Board from 2022 - Present:
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Youth Board members Sam and Lily attended The Wildlife Trust's weekend youth event planning a nature festival for young people in 2023
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Jazzie, Andrew, Isabella, Katie, and Lily represented London Wildlife Trust at our stand, shared their experiences during panel talks and interviewed young people at the Green Jobs Fair, which an amazing 120 young people attended!
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Haleema and Jazzie attended the Annual General Meeting and gave an inspiring speech about their love for wildlife and the importance of taking action for nature, to members and Trustees being sworn in.
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The Youth Board curated a presentation and Q&A for 50 CEO & SMT delegates from Trusts nationwide at the Wild Leaders Conference talking about topics including mental health and wellbeing, green space access, youth voice and representation in nature. Their segment was truly inspiring and started really important conversations about youth engagement and involvement!
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Jazzie and Andrew were featured on the Harmony in Health podcast which talked about how connecting and taking action for wildlife can help mental health and eco anxiety. Keep an eye out for the podcast being release very soon, here : https://www.harmonyinhealth.org/podcasts
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Over the past few months the Youth Board have been reviewing the London Wildlife Trust sustainability policy and are working towards drafting a new one which has been exciting and new challenge for everyone!
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The Youth Board planned, curated and delivered the Youth in Nature event which combined London Wildlife Trust’s Strategy with the Nature Nurtures Workshops. The evening showcased young people’s creativity within nature, inspiring young Londoners to take action. Youth Board members Andrew, Alan, Jazzie and Morag gave an inspiring speech about the achievements of the Youth Board, London Around 60 young people attended the event with a wide range of young people from different backgrounds.
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Youth Board members Katie, Jazzie and Andrew supported with delivery of the Green Careers Showcase on 7th July at Walthamstow Wetlands.
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Youth Board member Jazzie was involved with the London Wildlife Trust CEO recruitment Process, sitting on an interview panel.
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Youth Board members supported a collaborative event at Woodberry Wetlands with BTO’s Walk for Wildlife on the 27th of September.
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30th Sep: Youth Board member Kam spoke on behalf of LWT as part of a panel at the Eden Project for a climate-themed event delivered by Extreme Hangout and Earthminutes: https://www.edenproject.com/visit/whats-on/extreme-hangout-x-eden-project-delivered-by-earth-minutes
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The BTO Youth Reps ran and event in collaboration with London Wildlife Trust's Youth Board observing the ringing of Birds at Walthamstow Wetlands, a guided walk and a creative zine workshop lead by Youth Board member Nishat.
It’s the importance of being in the room, learning and building confidence, knowing that you belong in those conversations and have something to say. Being on the Youth Board is helping to build confidence in myself as who I am, not being pushed in a particular direction.
This role has helped me connect with others who also care about the world and want to make positive change and it has helped me feel able to take action and feel more confident in contributing ideas and challenging myself. It has been wonderful to really feel that what you are doing is making a difference that you can see happening.
It has inspired me to take on wildlife conservation as something that is my responsibility. This has furthered my stance on climate change and how looking after the planet is all of our individual responsibility. It has also opened me up to new experiences in volunteering, menteeship and collaborating with diverse voices
Take a look at the achievements of the Young People’s Forum from 2018-2021.
- Creating the Wild Youth Hub a digital resource with information and advice on conservation careers, mental health and wellbeing in the outdoors and social action in your local community. Visit it HERE!
- Advising Senior Management on how young people can be better represented in youth involvement, governance and environmental policy in London.
- Developing the Keeping it Wild Year 3 Promotional Film, watch it HERE!
- Helping to create youth-involvement training which was delivered to London Wildlife Trust staff.
- Forging links with the Trust's Senior Management Team and Board of Trustees
