Education for future generations –making a difference now

Education has always formed a big part of the Sussex Green Living mission. In fact, it’s where Carrie Cort started, simply by creating a network of friends and families to learn about nature, the environment and ways that everyone can live more sustainable lives.

In 2016, after training with the Climate Reality Leadership Corp, (led by former US Vice President Al Gore and several leading climate change scientists), Carrie stepped up Sussex Green Living’s environmental education programme, designing it to inform pupils on inspiring solutions. In 2021, our Bright New Future Roadshow was launched: a mobile outdoor education event offering a carousel full of environmental activities.

Last year, our team of specialist educators delivered 56 environmental education days in Sussex schools, amounting to almost a third of available school days.

“Children are so passionate about looking after the planet,” says Carrie. “They really do not understand why adults don’t get it, and why we find ourselves in such a mess.”

Our education programme has been possible thanks to grants from some amazing organisations. Sussex Community Fund and Horsham District Council provided funding for refurbishing our Inspiration Eco Station – a retro-fitted 1974 electric milk float that forms a core part of our education programme providing an interactive platform with displays and activities to support the games, education and ideas in our school roadshow.

Thanks to our Tesco Community Grant, we took our Roadshow to St Mary’s Primary School in Pulborough where 133 young pupils explored ‘Homes and Gardens’, ‘Clothes and Recycling’ and were encouraged to collect single use plastics for our TerraCycle scheme. At ‘Clive’s’ Mobile Woodland School Theatre lorry, the children played games that demonstrated the wonders of ‘Food Chains’ and ‘Woodlands’.

A typical response was expressed by Dilan from Reception class: “I hope I can do that again!”

Billingshurst Primary School requested the theme of ‘Caring for our Countryside’, and became so engaged that they entered the South Downs National Park & SGL Art Competition, Reception class winning 3rd prize. The children really embraced the competition theme of litter, produced a video and so their Eco Council is now setting up a school litter picking club.

“It’s incredibly heart-warming how children and adults get inspired from these fun days and push things to the next level,” says Carrie.

For 2023, our Repair and Regrow Schools Roadshow will address the cost-of-living, climate and ecological crises, reaching schools and their communities with money and food-saving solutions that also have a positive impact on our planet.

If you know a school who would like to book the roadshow, please contact Carrie at cort@sussexgreenliving.co.uk.

Melanie Nurse, Sussex Green Living