Speaking up for Trees and Nature is part of the national Young Tree Champions Programme. We know that young people are passionate about nature and the environment and that they are determined to make a difference.
This programme provides an opportunity to harness that passion and give young people the skills and confidence to speak out and to become a UK-wide #ForceForNature.
Here is Josh, a Jack Petchey’s Speak Out Challenge! alumni and Young Tree Champions Ambassador sharing his message about climate change:
We are working with the Tree Council and M&G to deliver a package of teacher training, resources and student workshops that will empower students to speak out about their passion for the natural world. This academic year 2023-24, we are working with 17 schools, from Southampton to Stirling, and training students from just 8 years old to find their voices and share their message.
Selected Tree Champion schools receive a full day of training in public speaking skills for 25-30 students, supported by our expert trainers and volunteers from M&G. They learn how to channel their passion for nature into a convincing and articulate speech and work with aspirational adults in their community, thanks to the support of M&G – the savings and investment company.
Every young person has the chance to share their speech with peers, teachers and volunteers and selected speeches go through to a national competition.
To find out more about Speaking Up for Trees and Nature, check out the Young Tree Champions website here.
It’s was an amazing day and to see the children develop throughout the day in front of us was priceless and an honour to watch.
We learned so much about ourselves and one another and the journey made by our pupils was incredible. It was genuinely uplifting to see pupils find their voice and see their confidence grow. The staff have gained too, in terms of what they can offer the children, but also in their own speaking skills.
The workshop taught the children excellent public speaking skills that they will be able to use in other areas of their life and in school.
Brilliant day with an excellent trainer. Pupils gained many skills and grew in confidence