September 29, 2023
The SusSH Group Leaders’ Gathering on the 13th September offered an amazing opportunity to learn about the work going on with young people in the South Hams and to develop ideas for an Assembly in the new year.
The group heard first from Beth Richards, whose presentation on the Harbour House Young Curators Project gave a glimpse into the huge potential around empowering young people to create their own work whilst finding ways to connect to the environment. The resulting curated exhibition will be open at Harbour House from 7th October - 11th November, with an opening event on the 6th October. Find all the details here.
We also heard from Hayden Gabriel, who coordinates Youth Engagement and the Young Ambassador programme with Sustainable South Brent. She shared several important key learnings, and some great projects including taking the local Scout Group to plant trees at night! Learn more about the project.
Some central points from these presentations included:
- Piggy back onto other events/groups
- Look for the gaps and connections
- Participatory rather than directive
- Give back and make it fun! From supplying cream tea to offering references for university applications
- Depth rather than width
- Follow the energy - support what they want to support
- Recognise the pressure that young people are under - keep it helpful and relevant to young people’s needs
- Make moments of magic!
An amazing discussion followed, covering the wide range of possibilities for a SusSH Assembly focussing on connections between local sustainability groups and young people. We will continue to develop and work on these ideas, but we’d love to hear from you if you weren’t able to join us - email info@sussh.org.
Our next Group Leaders’ Gathering will be on the 11th October. More details to follow.