Council launches Green Futures: Youth Project

Date published: 10th January 2025

North Norfolk District Council is delighted to introduce a new programme of activities for young people called Green Futures: Youth Project.

Funded by the North Norfolk Youth Advisory Board as a result of being awarded the project by the Young Commissioners, the Leisure team here at the Council will be delivering a suite of FREE activities throughout the year for young people aged between 11-19 (up to 25 for those with additional needs) which get them outside, learning about nature, being active and getting creative.

All outdoor sessions are held in one of the District’s beautiful Green Flag spaces which include Holt Country Park, Pretty Corner and Sadler’s Wood and provide hands on learning opportunities with a focus on environment and climate change.

There is a wide range of activities to choose from, including axe throwing, caricature drawing, habitat building, and a chance to ‘get to know’ the local wildlife with workshops discussing reptiles, minibeasts and birds, among others.

Our own popular volunteer group, ‘Muddy Boots,’ will also be hosting a series of youth specific sessions, allowing them to support the Countryside team in practical and educational conservation activities, such as tree-planting.

Emily Capps, North Norfolk District Council's Assistant Director Environment & Leisure Services: “It is a pleasure to be supporting young people within our community in a way that encourages them to appreciate nature in a really practical way.

The brief was designed in consultation with young people in the District, this along with the breadth of sessions lends itself to having something for everyone. Artistic types may enjoy the drawing classes and there’s plenty of physical activities for those who like being hands on.

The workshops provide an opportunity to explore some of conceptual aspects of environmentalism, such as your carbon footprint and ‘eco-anxiety’.

It’s a chance to learn new skills in a screen free environment, meet new people in a relaxed atmosphere and hopefully it will inspire some of the next generation to be environmentally conscious and engaged with the natural world.”

Aaron Harrison, Lead Youth Worker for North Norfolk at MAP, who facilitate the Youth Advisory Board, added: “We were really keen to work with young people to offer hands on learning activities as part of the Youth Advisory Board's objectives.

The young people involved really liked the number of opportunities that were put forward by NNDC and were excited to help with the grant to support all the activities on offer.

They are all looking forward to seeing what happens over the year and to attend some of the activities.”

Sessions are open for registration here.

Attending children must live, or be educated in, North Norfolk.