YOUTH & COMMUNITY WORKSHOPS

Climate change is one of the biggest threats to young people’s future,  but shockingly it is not a compulsory element of the National Curriculum until Key Stage 4 (GCSE level). 

In a 2020 survey of primary and secondary school teachers by Teach the Future, 90% of teachers agreed or strongly agreed that climate change education should be compulsory in all schools. However, many reported feeling unable to incorporate this subject in their lessons due to being overstretched and lack of expertise.

Since we began offering schools and youth-based workshops in April 2023, we have delivered 420 workshops to 11,702 children and young people, aged between 5 and 21. Our very recent fundraising has allowed us to deliver 157 workshops during the 2026/2027 academic year.

Due to changes in our funding income, we are unable to offer free workshops in schools and youth settings in the 2026 Autumn term. We are currently refreshing our fundraising whilst simultaneously developing ideas for a new schools' engagement programme for Cornwall and Devon. This will include a wraparound approach to services which support schools, youth settings and their local communities through workshops, team training, events and resources. If this might be of interest to you, please do let us know and we‘ll provide you with more details.

W are also offering self-funded, bespoke workshops in the Autumn term for organisations who would like to continue engaging with our existing workshop programme. These can be delivered in person, for different age groups, and be of varying duration. Prices for these workshops start at just £100. If you are interested in finding out more and/or you'd like to be added to our mailing list, just drop us a line.

For all education related enquiries, please email jess@cornwallclimate.org
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Watch this video to see one of the best received activities from our education workshops - The Toilet Roll of Time.

Based on the research of environmental scientist Hayley Hill and developed in partnership with climate geologist Dr Jodie Fisher (University of Plymouth), our workshops teach children and young people about the science behind climate change, how it relates to topics aligned with our films (using age-appropriate clips) and inspire hope and positivity for the future through fun, interactive activities.

All schools visited have rated our workshops as ‘Brilliant’ or ‘Really good’'.‍

Young people and eco-anxiety

Climate change poses an existential threat, and the future for young people can seem very scary.

But we can’t sweep the crisis under the carpet and pretend it’s not happening.

But equally it’s important not to induce feelings of anxiety or helplessness in young people, but to inspire them to become part of the solution, and prepare them for the green jobs of the future.

The resources below give some great advice on how to talk to young people about this huge issue – and support them in navigating their emotional responses to it where necessary.