“I could learn more about how to help my community with climate change” – Ali’s Story

Before Ali joined the Green Leaders, he took part in activities like sports, cooking and gardening through Crumpsall Youth Club, a space run by our youth team. When Ali heard about a new gardening project, he jumped at the chance to get involved:

I don’t have a garden at home.  So, when John came to the youth club to talk about a possible gardening project at the weekend, it gave me the chance to do something I knew I liked but couldn’t really have a go at.

While taking part in the Green Leaders project, Ali took part in many exciting outdoor activities. He also spent his time talking to local people about what they wanted to see in the park, leading to the creation of a wheelbarrow pond:

We used branches, twigs and leaves to build the bug house.  It’s important to create new habitats for animals, even bugs.  We had to do a lot of digging and weeding and I also helped make a pond out of a wheelbarrow

During this time, Ali also took part in training to better understand our current environmental issues and solutions:

Climate change is really harming our planet and eventually our economy. I learned about the impact climate change has on our day-to-day life.

Ali has benefitted a lot from his experiences, he understands the topic of climate action a lot better and even talks to his family and friends about how to live more sustainably:

I’m learning new things and new language.  I like talking about it me a chance to say what I think about it.  I can talk about it to my family and friends, so it is a new area of conversation.  It gives me a focus and gives me ways to help out my community & friends

Ali is looking towards the future, and planning outdoor trips with the other Green Leaders to explore more of the environment around them.