Following the involvement of young people at the launch of Norfolk's Climate Change Strategy, twenty students from five schools participated in a follow-up workshop with Penney Poyzer (presenter, writer and "Queen of Green") on July 8th at Bowthorpe Youth Centre. The young people were accompanied by a cross-section of County Council staff whose work supports the 'Healthy Sustainable Schools' ambition.
The workshop focused on campaigning, communication and funding, as well as on Carbon reduction and green renovation. Young people participating in the workshop from Dereham 6th Form, Hellesdon High, Northgate High, Hewett, Cliff Park High and Notre Dame High are now working up a 'Diary of Green Opportunity' that will be shared across all Secondary Schools and Colleges. Their work will support a really motivating and united front of action against Climate Change, that is led by young people working across schools.
The students planned a campaign of events focused on specific elements of behavioural change, from having a clod lunch to turning off heating, culminating in a 'Darkness Day' bringing all of these elements together.
The workshop was made possible by the EU funded 'ANSWER' Programme and the work from the day will support young people to lead on carbon reduction and energy efficiency measures in their own schools.
Three of these schools (Dereham 6th form, Notre Dame and Hellesdon) are directly involved with the real time energy monitoring pilot spearheaded by the ANSWER programme.