Northumberland Wildlife Trust - Eco Influencers

As the impacts of climate change intensify every year, more and more young people are joining the movement to take action and raise awareness to protect our planet and wildlife.

Eco Influencers provides opportunities for young people aged 10-18 to design and deliver their own environmental social action projects that really make a difference. From outdoor eco classrooms to mindfulness wildlife gardens and recycling campaigns, young people across the region are leading the way. 

How the project works: 

Demmi Robinson and Liz Heard are our Eco Mentors at Northumberland Wildlife Trust and work closely with schools, youth and community organisations within Newcastle, North Tyneside and Northumberland. The details: 

• An Eco Mentor visits the school, youth or community group to run extra-curricular regular sessions, helping young people develop skills and lead an environmental or community project of their own design.  
• Sessions can fit around the group’s timetable and can be part of an existing club or a newly set-up group; we just ask that a member of staff is present.  
• This is fully funded, so there is no cost to the group. We help the group to secure funding to deliver their project idea.

What are the benefits of the project?

From running the project since 2021 we know that by participating, Eco Influencers:  

• Feel closer and more connected to nature 
• Gain skills like leadership, teamwork, event planning, fundraising and public speaking 
• Feel more confident and empowered to take action for nature  
• Increase their knowledge of local wildlife and environment 
• Feel calmer and less anxious, due to their deepened relationship with nature 
• Have new opportunities like visiting nature reserves or volunteering 

If you are a teacher, youth leader or community leader working with 10- 18 year olds, please get in touch by emailing liz.heard@northwt.org.uk or demmi.robinson@northwt.org.uk.