Our Green Leaders pilot
Green Leaders evolved from young people who wanted more; they’d done a Green Shoots project, they’d done a Skylarks project and they kept turning up. How could The Green Team help? What else could we do?
Green Leaders was designed by young people as an accessible pathway for graduates of Green Shoots (12-13 year olds) for young people aged 14-15 who face the greatest challenges to further develop their skills through accredited awards.
This project aligns closely with our first 2025-2030 Strategic goal “to widen engagement with young people with the greatest barriers to nature.”
Piloted over 15 weeks from the start of 2025, Green Leaders combined a programme of city-wide greenspace exploration and conservation with the chance to gain accredited awards: the Forest and Outdoor Learning Award (SCQF Level 4) and the Duke of Edinburgh Bronze Award. Alongside wider practical, social, communication and employability skills.
‘Green Leaders provides a lifeline for young people who are struggling to attend anything; a safe space for anxious or vulnerable young people who may otherwise be susceptible to worsening mental health or getting in with the wrong crowd.’ Kate Wilkinson, Green Team Programme Leader
We found that a blend of outdoor experiential and accredited learning really works, and this pilot demonstrated a profound impact on those who took part. We know this because we measured the progress made by those participating from their first day:
‘Our young people were disengaged and disruptive at the start of the programme. They mucked about and threw things around in our office. It was chaos!’
… to 15 weeks later
The Green Leaders residential was a key point and whilst it was challenging for the group they worked together on the expedition walks and overnight camp and were absolutely thrilled that they had completed the challenge!…
‘There has been a steady transformation over the weeks that has been fantastic to witness. I am blown away by the changes, their increase in attention span, their teamwork, leadership skills and their incredible hard work!’ Kate, Green Team Programme Leader
Our new Green Leaders were keen to share their feedback:
‘It opens a door and a new way to learn… for those who would be sitting in the house all day… this is actually learning real stuff!’
‘I want to work outdoors. I’ve been to so many new places I didn’t know existed!’
‘Everyone’s got different backgrounds. We all come from different places, and we all get on so well it’s like absolutely amazing and I just love it… It’s the best thing that’s happened to me in a long time.’
More about Green Shoots
The Green Shoots Programme is for pupils in S1-S3 who are currently experiencing challenges within their school or home lives and are keen to grow and develop in a safe and inclusive environment in a natural setting.