World leaders may have been discussing climate change recently, as part of the G20 Summit in London, but young people in Nottingham are proving that actions speak louder than words, by starting their own environmental projects right here, right now.

Including generating electricity by bicycle and showing people how to grow their own food – without a garden!

These young people aren’t getting paid for what they do; it’s all entirely voluntary. What they have in common is that they’re all supported by Sprout, a young people’s environmental project run by the Partnership Council charity in Hyson Green – set up in January 2008 to give young environmentalists help and advice.

Rachel Wicks from Sprout explains:

“There’s so many young people in Nottingham who want to do their bit for the environment, but it can be difficult for them to know how to turn a good idea into a working project.

Sprout is here to provide that knowledge, whether young people need help to promote their project, recruit volunteers or find funding for example.”

Rachel continues:

“More and more young people are coming to us for help to get their ideas off the ground and their enthusiasm and passion should be recognised and embraced, especially as many of them are running projects in their own free time, around other commitments such as work or study.”

Here are just a few of the new projects being supported by Sprout:

Bike Generator/Pedal Power Project
Project Leader – Nico Shattock, aged 24

Imagine going to a community event or music festival powered by pedal power! That’s what Nico Shattock is aiming to achieve by building four bicycle generators – which will be available for community events and festivals to use free of charge, as an alternative to traditional diesel generators.

In addition, Nico hopes the bicycle generators will help to educate people about renewable energy, by showing them how much energy (or pedal power!) is needed to power different objects i.e. a light bulb.

Nico plans to build the bicycle generators at a skills share event in the city so that people can come along and learn how to build a bicycle generator for themselves, whilst finding out more about renewable energy and generating electricity from pedal power.

Sprout is supporting the project with funding to help build the bicycle generators. In addition, Sprout is helping Nico to promote the project.

Sumac Container Gardening Project
Project Leader – Ceinwen Jackson, aged 19

With the recession in full swing more and more people are growing their own fruit and vegetables but what if you don’t have a garden or even a backyard?

No worries – Ceinwen is planning to show people how to grow fruit and vegetables in containers, by holding weekly Container Gardening training sessions at the Sumac Centre, 245 Gladstone Street, Forest Fields, Nottingham.
In addition, Ceinwen is hoping her own Container Garden will inspire others who don’t have their own garden.

Ceinwen says:

“I was inspired to begin my container gardening project by the vision of peak oil looming on the horizon. The ways we currently live and feed ourselves urgently need changing in order to make our societies more resilient and integrated with the rest of nature, and growing our own food is a positive step towards living a life free from fossil fuels.”

Sprout is supporting the project with funding and by helping to promote it.

Edible Flowers & Raw Salads Project
Project Leader – Eva Freeman, aged 25

“I want to show people that food goes beyond what’s available on the supermarket shelves.”

That’s the view of Eva Freeman, who’s keen to unlock the potential of unusual foods such as edible flowers, which can be grown easily and cheaply by people at home.

In addition, Eva also plans to work with growers around Nottingham, encouraging them to grow unusual varieties of common foods such as yellow carrots and purple cauliflowers.

Eva explains:

“If food looks fantastic or is new and exciting, it encourages people to eat it so my plan is to provide people with the information and resources they need to grow and make really healthy dishes such as raw vegetable salads.”

Sprout is supporting Eva’s project with funding and general help and advice.

Refugee Forum Garden Project
Project Leaders – Kate Mack, aged 25/Penny Dale, aged 21

Kate and Penny are planning to transform the garden at the Nottingham and Nottinghamshire Refugee Forum into a herb garden and relaxation space for the local community.

As well as giving people somewhere to socialise, they want the garden to help educate people about growing their own food. They’re also planning to make their own compost for the garden, by composting the Forum’s biodegradable waste.

Sprout is helping with funding and with the transport of materials and resources – together with general support and advice.

Jamia Al Huda Project
Project Leaders – a group of girls from Jamia Al Huda School – aged 16 to 17

The girls are planning to develop an area of the school grounds into a space for growing food and flowers, so they can learn about gardening, how to work as a group and brighten up the school grounds!

Sprout is supporting the girls, who have very little experience of gardening, with advice and practical help.

Ends

Sprout is funded by vinvolved, a national organisation set up to encourage young people to get involved in volunteering.

To find out more or to arrange an interview with any of the young people above please call Rachel Wicks on 0115 970 8200 or email  rachel@partnershipcouncil.co.uk

www.partnershipcouncil.co.uk