From Parks to Power: How young people are taking climate action in their community

What happens when young people are given the space, support and confidence to shape the places where they live?

Over the past year, I Have a Voice has worked with young people in West Yorkshire and Tower Hamlets through the Parklife programme, helping them explore climate change, investigate local green spaces, and develop ideas for creating healthier, greener communities.

What we saw was far more than an increase in environmental knowledge. Young people grew in confidence, challenged assumptions about who has the power to create change, and took meaningful action in their communities.

Finding voices that are too often overlooked

One of the most powerful aspects of the programme was its ability to engage young people who are often under-represented in environmental action.

In West Yorkshire, all participants were eligible for Free School Meals and the majority came from ethnically diverse backgrounds. Many had never previously taken part in a climate or environmental project as access to environmental education and outdoor learning is not equal. Programmes like Parklife can play an important role in making these opportunities accessible to those who might otherwise miss out.

Learning that leads to action

Young people did not simply learn about climate change. They learned how to do something about it.

In West Yorkshire, participants explored the links between climate change, local green spaces and community wellbeing. We went to Bingley Bog to learn about how the local community campaigned for it to be designated as a nature reserve and why this matters for local and global climate action.

By the end of the programme, participant had identified practical ways to improve their local environment, including plans for community planters, litter-picking around their youth centre. One participant summed up their learning simply:

"Anybody can do something. Even small changes make things better."

This may seem like small statements, but they represent an important shift. Young people moved from seeing climate change as a global issue beyond their control to recognising that local action can make a difference.

Building confidence to speak up

A key aim of the programme was to help young people develop the confidence to share their ideas and influence decisions. In Tower Hamlets, evaluation results showed significant growth in young people's confidence and self-belief.

Perhaps most importantly, young people became more confident that their voices mattered.

Those gains were put into practice when participants hosted a session with their local councillor. Young people presented their ideas for improving parks and green spaces, demonstrating the confidence, communication skills and environmental understanding they had developed throughout the programme. They also placed some bug hotels in Wapping Woods, alongside signs about the bug hotels an the need to pic up litter. They have now been nominated for an award for their efforts.

Changing attitudes towards climate action

At the start of the programme, many participants viewed environmental issues as something handled by governments, charities or adults. By the end, there was clear evidence of a different mindset. Young people reported stronger understanding of local climate action, greater confidence in engaging with councils, and an increased likelihood of taking action in the future.

Their comments reflected this change:

"You can have a say in what you want."

"Everyone should get together and help the environment."

"I enjoyed learning about other campaigns by other young people. I could tell they were passionate and it makes me want to make a change."

These are more than positive quotes. They show a growing belief that young people have a legitimate role in shaping the future of their communities.

More than environmental outcomes

While the programme focused on climate change and green spaces, some of the most important outcomes were linked to wellbeing. Participants developed greater confidence, stronger communication skills and a deeper sense of agency. They worked together, spent time outdoors, built relationships and experienced what it means to be listened to. For many young people, particularly those facing social or economic barriers, these experiences can be transformative. One participant captured the impact perfectly:

"I can raise my voice."

Looking ahead

The Parklife programme supports young people to develop creativity, insight and determination to the challenges facing their communities. They learn new skills, strengthen their confidence and turn ideas into action. Most importantly, they leave knowing that their voices matter. And when young people believe they can make a difference, they often do.