This project aims to train ten volunteers and involve fifty young people, recruited from five local youth groups in a series of social action projects designed to raise awareness of local beach and river pollution. Each project, designed by the young people involved, will cover the following aspects; a) an initial publicity campaign, e.g. posters highlighting the current levels of litter & pollution in their nearby river or beach; b) a litter pick event to improve the state of their nearby river or beach and c) a follow up publicity campaign highlighting the results of their project, e.g. before and after photos, and collation of the litter pick surveys. The project will utilise the online MCS beach clean and litter survey training events and the Marine Conservation Society's ‘Beachwatch’ & ‘Source to Sea Quest’ resources, so that all the data and outcomes of the projects can be incorporated into the data capture for 2023. Visit: https://www.mcsuk.org/what-you-can-do/join-a-beach-clean

What we'll deliver:

• Five youth led social action projects
• Five beach or river clean activity days
• Ten young volunteers trained to lead a beach clean, gather and submit data
• Fifty young people taking part in improving their community

Why it's a great idea:

This project aims to raise awareness and influence the positive behaviours of more than 5,000 people with regard to their local river or beach. This project, through its direct delivery, will impact positively on the lives of 60 young people and, by supporting young people’s development and learning, this project will also help to create future advocates for positive environmental change and build up to 60 potential positive environmental ‘Sea Change Makers’ for the future. A report will be produced highlighting the changes made by the groups and this report will be shared widely through our networks, social media channels and via our website. Each group will produce a before and poster to showcase the impact and benefits to their neighbourhood and community through their piece of social action. These posters will include information about potential future actions and follow up activities and these will be displayed in local outlets post events.

Steps to get it done:

• Sourcing and purchasing all the equipment required
• Recruiting young volunteers
• Writing and submitting other applications for grants
• Organising access to online training
• Launching and delivering beach clean activity days
• Submitting data
• Evaluating and celebrating achievements

Each of the five social action projects, although following a similar format, will be unique; the young people will make decisions about what innovations and creativity they wish to include. From previous experience of facilitating beach clean days we will propose the following suggestions which could be incorporated into their projects: a) Creation of art/sculptures from the litter collected (group or individual) b) Event Storyboard – use of photography and illustrations with text to capture the story of the project’s progress and the event on the day. c) Submission of poems and images following the event to feature at the celebration event. d) Quizzes and Prizes – The creation of fun and educational quizzes with prizes to be awarded on the day to impart facts about pollution and re-enforce learning. e) Blogs and Vlogs – micro website on our website with access to volunteers to create content and updates throughout the project.