Youth Social Action Resource Hub

Keeping it Wild is a programmed bringing together the youth and conservation sectors to provide opportunities for young people to engage with and protect the capital’s wild spaces, funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund. London Youth is part of a consortium of organizations led by London Wildlife Trust delivering a three-year programmer, encouraging young people to reflect on natural spaces, learn about protecting wildlife and then take part in developing and delivering a project or creative campaign to raise awareness and encourage practical conservation in local communities. This is a tried-and-tested methodology and there are some case study videos.

A National Citizen Service cohort of young people developed The Pink Paint Project, as they were keen to spread positive spirits in their local community and raise awareness about where people can find help for mental health issues as many young people struggle with this. They painted canvases and added the Samaritans helpline number onto them, before hanging them up in shops and community centres around Chesterfield (UK). They did a bake sale, making £268 for the Samaritans while raising the Samaritans’ profile. They chose the colour Baker-Miller Pink because it is shown to temporarily reduce aggressive behaviour.

Race-based hair discrimination has been illegal in the UK since the 2010 Equalities Act, yet it still happens in schools. Black students may internalize Eurocentric beauty standards and be told that their hair textures and hairstyles are inappropriate or unattractive. The Equality & Human Rights Commission is monitoring the situation. However schools and young people can take action, such as signing up to the UK’s first Black hair code, The Halo Collective’s Halo Code. By adopting this, schools are taking a stand to ensure that no member of their community faces barriers or judgements because of their Afro-textured hair.