Environmentally conscious teenagers who live in Brownhills are being urged to step up to help protect the planet.
Kids In Communication (KIC), which delivers Kicsters – a digital, pop-up youth club in Brownhills for people from the ages of 10 to 18, has launched Brownhills Goes Green, a new climate action programme, and it needs young people to become climate change ambassadors to drive it forward.
The ambassadors, who must be aged 13-18, will lead the design, development and delivery of campaigns and projects, and will play an active role in the community to help make the town – and its residents – a greener place to be.
Benjamin Williams, KIC’s project leader, said it was now actively recruiting for the volunteer roles as part of a 12-month project after securing £10,000 from The National Lottery Community Fund – Together For Our Planet.
“It’s all about wanting to do their bit for the planet and changing small things to make a difference,” said Benjamin. “Over the 12 months, we will be doing a lot of social action projects, such a litter picking, community gardening, canal work, all led by the young people themselves.
“They will also be the leading force to raise awareness at a local level, perhaps talking to people about the projects and asking them to make their own changes to help the world we live in.”
Working with KIC, the ambassadors will also be helped to identify partnerships with professionals, businesses or organisations, as well as distribute information and promote activities and events.
Apart from recruiting the new ambassadors, one of the first activities is setting up a climate forum in Brownhills, made up of residents, schools and businesses. It will also develop climate awareness resources to be used throughout the year-long programme.
KIC’s climate ambassadors will meet every fortnight to discuss the design, development and delivery of climate campaigns and projects within Brownhills and will be accredited through its awards programme with Open College Network.
A digital art competition has been launched, where young people submit a piece of art that reflects how they feel about climate change. For information, visit: www.kicsters.co.uk/post/climatechange-artcompetition. Closing date will be May 6, 2022.
For more information about being a climate change ambassador in Brownhills, visit: www.kicsters.co.uk/brownhillsgoesgreen. You can also email: Kicsters@kicfm.com or head to: facebook.com/BrownhillsGoesGreen
Written by Jayne Howarth