Join the SEEd Sustainability Journey
I will if you will… is an exercise we use with participants on our SEEd Changemaker programmes and many of our events and workshops. Participants make small or large commitments to help them make changes towards sustainability. The underlying idea is that we are all connected and responsible for each other, therefore changing the world and making it more sustainable requires us to work together. Now, the SEEd team has integrated the exercise into our newsletter and we invite you, as a member of our community, to join us on this journey of Commitment, Joy & Impact.
We are here to help each other, so we designed a journey that is easy to follow, where you have the possibility of choice, can feel and exercise what change is like, and most importantly, feel happy instead of anxious about your actions. Believe me, making a change can be fun!
All we ask of you during this upcoming month is to choose one COMMITMENT from the list below that you are eager to try out; one JOY that helps you relax and keep your journey fun; and one IMPACT idea that you find interesting enough to then spread the word to friends, colleagues, family members, or anyone you encounter. Easy, isn’t it? But more importantly, by following the steps you can change your lifestyle, your mindset, and empower others to follow suit. Like a real change maker.
Please do share your actions and commitments with us by email or on social media.
Commitment
Choose a commitment from the list below and see which one the SEEd team has picked!
- 10,000 Schools Connecting Children with Nature – There is something powerful about a movement that grows one school at a time. The Education Nature Park has now reached more than 10,000 schools across England, supporting children and young people to explore, monitor and improve their local environments. By transforming school grounds into places for discovery, learning and action, the programme is helping embed nature and sustainability into everyday school life. At a time when environmental challenges can feel distant or overwhelming, this initiative shows the value of creating regular opportunities for young people to engage directly with the natural world and become active stewards of their local environment. Read more
- Sustainability and Health: New Free Classroom Resources – The UK Health Security Agency’s e-Bug programme has launched a new collection of free curriculum-linked teaching resources exploring the connections between environmental change, sustainability and health. Using the spread of mosquitoes and ticks as a real-world case study, pupils investigate how environmental and social factors influence disease patterns and affect communities locally and globally. The resources provide practical lesson plans, activities and curriculum links that help bring complex sustainability issues to life in the classroom. Browse the options
- Nature Recovery Through Partnership – The latest update from the Greater Lincolnshire Nature Partnership highlights exciting work taking place through the Big Chalk WaterLife Recovery Trust and wider efforts to restore freshwater habitats. The story demonstrates how long-term environmental recovery depends on collaboration between organisations, communities and environmental experts. It is a reminder that meaningful change requires commitment, persistence and a shared vision for a healthier future for both people and wildlife. Big Chalk Recovery Fund plus Read more about the other projects being done
Photo from: educationnaturepark.org.uk
Joy
This element helps you stick to your commitment with its small rewards. And secondly, it helps you exercise a sustainability mindset through art. Believe it or not, you will start to gradually see the world through the lens of sustainability, experience it differently, and reinvent the self and its habits accordingly.
- Learning Through Play: Climate Games That Inspire Action – Climate education does not always have to start with reports and statistics. Climate games show that we can use games to explore systems thinking, cooperation and climate solutions in engaging and memorable ways. By encouraging experimentation, discussion and problem-solving through games, these activities make complex issues more accessible to young people while helping learners discover that taking action can be both meaningful and enjoyable. Check out some of these games
- Imagining Better Futures Together – The latest newsletter from The Great Imagining celebrated the importance of creativity, storytelling and community in shaping positive futures. Through projects, reflections and shared experiences, it encouraged people to think beyond today’s challenges and imagine what thriving communities and sustainable societies could look like. In a world often dominated by difficult headlines, creating space for hope may be one of the most important things we can do. Check out the newsletter
- Creativity as a Catalyst for Change – Artist, educator and creative practitioner Love Ssega demonstrates how culture and creativity can play an important role in sustainability conversations. His work explores connections between people, place and the environment, showing how art can inspire fresh perspectives and foster meaningful dialogue. Sometimes joy comes from seeing familiar challenges in a completely new light, and creative approaches often help make that possible. Learn more about his journey
Photo from: The Great Imagining newsletter
Impact
Sometimes, solutions and great ideas are not waiting to be invented but are already out there. Somewhere. Which of these impactful solutions will you choose to spread the word about to your students, colleagues, friends and family?
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- Jessy Banzoulou’s Evaluation Report on Young Changemakers – One of the most inspiring pieces of work we’ve seen recently comes from Jessy Banzoulou’s evaluation of SEEd’s Young Changemakers programme. The report highlights how young people developed confidence, leadership skills and a stronger understanding of how change happens in practice. Students reflected on the realities of creating change within complex systems, learning valuable lessons about resilience, teamwork and problem-solving along the way. The findings show that when young people are trusted with real responsibility, they are capable of making meaningful contributions to their schools and communities. Read his report
- Minute For Hope – Recent insights from the OECD reinforce the growing importance of preparing learners for an increasingly complex and interconnected future. Across education systems, there is greater recognition of the need to develop critical thinking, collaboration and sustainability literacy alongside traditional academic knowledge. The findings highlights the impactful role education can play in helping young people navigate uncertainty and contribute positively to society. Read more here
- Educators Emergency Briefing – The Government’s 2025 Curriculum and Assessment Review calls for climate change and sustainability to be embedded more explicitly across different key stages, reflecting the growing recognition that these issues are central to young people’s lives and futures. The Educators’ Emergency Briefing on July 14th at Porticullis Housebrings together teachers, sustainability leads, education organisations and policymakers to explore how schools can respond to this challenge and accelerate meaningful implementation. Hosted by Chris Hinchliff MP, the event buildt on the success of the People’s Emergency Briefing film and came at a time when many young people are experiencing the impacts of climate change first-hand, from extreme heat affecting learning conditions to increasing concerns about flooding and severe weather. It offered a valuable opportunity for educators to connect, share practice and strengthen the role of education in preparing young people for a rapidly changing world.
