The Green Influencers Scheme is run by The Ernest Cook Trust, a national educational charity, which granted host organisations funding to support the employment of 44 Green Mentors. The Green Mentors’ role is to enable young people to lead the way as ‘Green Influencers’ on social action projects in their communities.
Leicestershire and Rutland Wildlife Trust is among the 37 host organisations and so far it's Green Mentor Hannah Keys has been able to support over 40 Green Influencers across Leicester.
Across England there are now 1,500 Green Influencers and the scheme is on target to enlist 5,000 young people between the ages of 10 and 14 to improve the environment for their schools and communities.
With COP26, the UN Climate Change Conference starting on October 31, and world leaders gathering in Glasgow to discuss global climate issues, the Green Influencers Scheme is demonstrating how young people are already trying to make a difference by getting engaged with their environment and improving the communities they live in.
The pioneering Green Influencers Scheme is a project match-funded through the #iwill Fund which is funded by The National Lottery Community Fund and Department of Culture, Media & Sport who are each investing £27million seed funding to support young people to access high-quality social action opportunities.
Green Mentor Hannah said:
“Even with the challenge of Covid19, I have been so impressed with the commitment and enthusiasm of these young Green Influencers. Their ideas are very creative and they are all passionate about making changes to the environment they live in, which will benefit the whole community.”
Green Influencer-led projects in the Leicester area include.
- Mayflower Primary School Environment Helpers
- Rushey Mead Academy Wildlife Warriors
- Sandfield Close Primary School Eco Buddies
- Mayflower Primary School Earth Savers