OUR PASSION
At the Green Team, we are passionate about supporting young people to find their place in nature.
Spending time outdoors as a child or young person produces a life-long love of nature and the natural environment. We believe every young person has a right to these positive outdoor experiences and we run programmes of activities which help them do so.
As a small charity, we couldn’t do it without the help of some amazing volunteers, partners organisations, funders and fundraisers. Their efforts make a huge difference to the young people we work with.
Our Strategy
Our 5-year strategy reflects the voices of the young people we engage. It our key focus, alongside our core nature connection work, environmental stewardship and recognising we are all part of nature.
The People behind The Green Team
The Youth Panel
The Green Team shaped by young people.
At The Green Team, we believe young people should have a meaningful say in the opportunities, programmes and organisation created for them. Our Youth Panel helps make that happen.
Established in 2017, the Youth Panel is an advisory group to The Green Team and our Board. Young people from across our programmes come together to share their experiences, contribute ideas, challenge our thinking and help shape what we do. Their thinking has helped strengthen our commitment to Young Environmental Stewardship.
For us, youth participation isn’t simply about asking young people what they think. It’s about whose voices are around the table, listening to what they tell us and doing something with it.
Different voices around the same table
Our current Youth Panel brings together 12 young people aged 12–19, with members coming through Green Team programmes including Green Shoots, Skylarks, Thrive, Green Volunteers and Changemakers.
The Youth Panel reflects many of the different experiences of young people growing up today. The group encompasses young people with neurodivergence, mental health challenges, different ethnic backgrounds and experience of socioeconomic disadvantage. Some identify as LGBTQ+ or gender-neutral and half the Youth Panel are young women.
Importantly, most members bring more than one of these experiences or identities. And that matters. Young people don’t all experience education, nature, community or growing up in the same way. Listening to different voices helps us understand where barriers exist, what young people value and what needs to change.
“I have always felt that the thoughts and opinions of the young people are listened to and respected. Their ideas are taken seriously and it is great to feel like we can actually make a difference.”
Over the years, our Youth Panel has helped shape our strategy, programmes, website, social media, films, fundraising, diversity and inclusion work and environmental priorities. Members have contributed to carbon-footprint discussions, represented Green Team at events and presentations, and taken part in external consultations and focus groups.
Julianne’s Green Team story
From P3 to pioneer, Julianne joined The Green Team aged 7. Now 19 and recognised by the Young Women’s Movement, her Green Team story inspires
Young environmental stewards
Our Youth Panel tell us that they don’t just want to learn about environmental problems – they want to DO something about them
Growing with The Green Team
Many Youth Panel members first join as participants. As their confidence and experience grow, some help shape The Green Team
Joseph’s Story
Joseph has been coming along to our programmes for a few years. His mum tells us how The Green Team has helped him find his place in the world.
The Team
Our Patron
In February 2009 the Green Team Board appointed the first Green Team Patron, Peter Wright.
Peter began his career in Youth Work and Community Education going on to become the Manager of the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Unit in the City of Edinburgh from 1989-2007. He co-founded Youth in Trust – now the National Trust for Scotland Conservation Volunteers, and Thistle Camps.
Peter set up the Green Team in 1995 to offer an environmental opportunity to those taking part in the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award. He also helped to establish the John Muir Award and is founder and president of Friends of the Award (FOTA).
The Peter Wright Outdoor Learning Hub at Newbattle Abbey College, is so named, in his honour.
In 2005, Peter was awarded an MBE for services to disadvantaged young people and The Duke of Edinburgh Award.
Here, Peter chats about green spaces and mental health with Iona Randall.
Our Board
Our Funders
We are only able to run our programmes because of the financial support that we have received and continue to receive from funders and donors – our thanks goes out to them all.
Should you wish to find out more about funding the Green Team, our funders or our fundraising policy then please contact our Co-CEO Corporate Development, Julia Duncan:
The Green Team takes its responsibilities around funding very seriously. We take reasonable and proportionate measures to ensure the work or activities of any funder has no clear and significant negative impact upon the vision, mission and values of the Green Team.
While we are grateful for all funding that we are offered, acceptance of funding does not imply an endorsement of the work or activities of a funder.
We are grateful to have received grant funding for our current work from:
AEB Charitable Trust
Findlay Charitable Trust
Ronald Miller Foundation
Dr Guthrie
Silverhill Trust