Find out about Torfaen Youth Forum, who were funded by the Youth Led Grants in 2019/20 on their environmental project.
During the project, Torfaen Youth Forum ran a Facebook campaign to raise awareness of environmental issues and to inform others how to report fly tipping as well as other environmental issues in the community. They also encouraged young people to take part in local and national litter surveys and ran an eco-based craft activity where forum members were able to make creations out of reusable materials.
In addition to the Facebook campaign and craft sessions, Torfaen Youth Forum collaborated with Cardiff Youth Council and other youth forums in Wales to take part in an environmental learning programme focussing on the unique biodiversity of their area and identified solutions to improving the area.
Their volunteers were heavily involved in every aspect of the project, from co-ordinating their events, to creating content for social media and deciding what equipment to purchase. Youth volunteers especially have taken the lead on this project by co-ordinating litter picks and by facilitating discussions around solutions to environmental concerns.
By doing so, they have developed excellent leadership skills and confidence taking on responsibilities within their roles in the forum.
Members of the Torfaen Youth Forum expressed ‘All forum members have actively engaged in this project and will continue to raise awareness of environmental issues through the year. From this project all now have their own litter picking equipment and it’s lovely to see them taking pride in their own communities by continuing to carry out local litter picks during their daily walks’
They added ‘This has been a wonderful youth led project that addressed a significant need from young and older alike in our community to protect and look after our environment.’
YOUTH LED GRANTS
Distributed by CVCs across Wales, the Youth Led Grants support a range of small volunteering projects and activities led and carried out by young people. In 2020/21 the projects were funded to address six priority areas identified by the Welsh Government which have the potential to make the greatest contribution to long-term prosperity and well-being.
To learn more about youth volunteering in Wales, please register for ‘Making youth volunteering awesome in Wales!’ where we’ll be exploring best practice and how we can ensure positive experiences for youth volunteers.