My World My Home Creating tomorrow’s environmental leaders

My World My Home is a year-long leadership development programme for young people between the ages of 16-24, in association with Friends of the Earth and Students Organising for Sustainability (SOS-UK).

During the course you'll get to plan and organise a local community campaign that’ll positively benefit the local environment. You'll receive:

  • Regular trips and visits in your community to develop your community campaigning skills.
  • Campaigning guidance and support from a coach based in your region/city.
  • Volunteering opportunities in the wider climate movement.
  • Weekly college sessions and termly one-to-ones with an experienced campaign coach.

At the end of the programme, we’ll celebrate your achievements at a graduation event in July. This’ll take place at Friends of the Earth's national youth gathering, which is attended by environmentalists from across the UK.

Why should I take part?

Some of the benefits of taking part in My World My Home include:

  • Learning how to make positive changes happen in your community or college.
  • Building your confidence in public speaking, or in one-to-one conversations.
  • Meeting other young people who share your concerns for the environment.
  • Earning digital badges recognised by universities and recruitment websites such as LinkedIn.
  • Taking part in a 3-day, all expenses paid residential trip with other student activists.
     

Being on My World My Home has given me the opportunity to help my local community and campaign on issues that I care about

Christina, My World My Home Graduate 

Student campaigns

Smog
Air pollution
When the Welsh Senedd launched a consultation on a new law to tackle air pollution, learners at Coleg y Cymoedd were ready with their campaign to make sure young people were taken into account by the new law. They held a stall in college to gather the views of their peers and fed these into the law-making process, eventually meeting with politicians to advocate for stronger laws on air pollution
Air pollution
When the Welsh Senedd launched a consultation on a new law to tackle air pollution, learners at Coleg y Cymoedd were ready with their campaign to make sure young people were taken into account by the new law. They held a stall in college to gather the views of their peers and fed these into the law-making process, eventually meeting with politicians to advocate for stronger laws on air pollution
Bus
Public transport
Students at Queen Elizabeth Academy and All Saints Academy campaigned to save a school bus subsidy that was to be cut by Nottinghamshire Council. Their campaign raised awareness on why public transport is important in minimising air pollution.
Public transport
Students at Queen Elizabeth Academy and All Saints Academy campaigned to save a school bus subsidy that was to be cut by Nottinghamshire Council. Their campaign raised awareness on why public transport is important in minimising air pollution.
Heap of empty, squashed plastic bottles ready for recycling
Recycling
Students at City and Islington College students noticed that lots of the classrooms in their colleges didn’t have recycling bins. This meant that plastic bottles, paper and other waste materials were being sent to landfill when they could be turned into something new.

They thought this was a waste of space being taken by landfill sites and were worried about the impact on climate change by making products from scratch each time.

Students won a commitment from the college that recycling bins would be put into every classrooms and they are now excited to see it put into action.
Recycling
Students at City and Islington College students noticed that lots of the classrooms in their colleges didn’t have recycling bins. This meant that plastic bottles, paper and other waste materials were being sent to landfill when they could be turned into something new.

They thought this was a waste of space being taken by landfill sites and were worried about the impact on climate change by making products from scratch each time.

Students won a commitment from the college that recycling bins would be put into every classrooms and they are now excited to see it put into action.
Mixed vegetable salad with flatbread
Sustainable eating
In our pilot programme in Northern Ireland, the group in Southern Regional College, Armagh conducted a listening survey and heard that vegetarian and vegan students didn’t have lunch options in the canteen.

The group explored this further and developed a campaign to promote environmentally friendly options in the canteen by offering more vegetarian and vegan options, and having all options be clearly labelled.

The college was extremely supportive, with a member of staff even accompanying the students in their negotiation meeting with Mount Charles, the catering company.
Sustainable eating
In our pilot programme in Northern Ireland, the group in Southern Regional College, Armagh conducted a listening survey and heard that vegetarian and vegan students didn’t have lunch options in the canteen.

The group explored this further and developed a campaign to promote environmentally friendly options in the canteen by offering more vegetarian and vegan options, and having all options be clearly labelled.

The college was extremely supportive, with a member of staff even accompanying the students in their negotiation meeting with Mount Charles, the catering company.

My World My Home students zines (Welsh and English)

Coursebook

My World My Home students are provided with a coursebook that accompanies the programme. 

Students learn how to organise and carry out a peaceful action, negotiate with power holders, and how to work as a team to organise their own activities.

Download the coursebook (English)
Download the coursebook (Welsh)
Craft for your planet - craft graphics around globe

How do I apply?

We’re currently running the My World My Home programme in 12 colleges across 4 different regions. If you’re a current student at one of these colleges then email the relevant person listed below.

If you live in Northern Ireland and are 16 to 25 years old apply to People Planet Place.

If you’re a student at a college not listed below, unfortunately you can’t currently participate in this course. But please tell your college about it, because we will be expanding to new colleges if there’s demand.

If you work in a college not listed above and you would like to be able to offer the programme to your students, please contact: [email protected]

6 My World My Home Students with Welsh Environment Minister Hannah Blythyn, centre, and Leela (2nd from right)

Colleges we work with

Senedd building, Cardiff Bay, Wales
Wales and South West England
Coleg y Cymoedd
City of Bristol College

Contact: [email protected]
Wales and South West England
Coleg y Cymoedd
City of Bristol College

Contact: [email protected]
photo of Belfast from the air, with sunset
Northern Ireland
North West Regional College, Strand Road
Northern Regional College, Coleraine

Contact: 
[email protected]
Northern Ireland
North West Regional College, Strand Road
Northern Regional College, Coleraine

Contact: 
[email protected]

Register your interest in joining My World My Home

SIGN UP

If you're interested in taking environmental action outside of these areas, or if you aren't a college student, then we have other options for you.

You can join the Friends of the Earth Youth Network which is open to young people aged 16-25 living in England, Wales or Norther Ireland who are committed to creating an inclusive environmental movement. Email [email protected] to find out more and how to get involved.

My World My Home is kindly supported by the Esmée Fairbairn Foundation, one of the largest independent grant-makers in the UK, which aims to improve our natural world, secure a fairer future and strengthen the bonds in communities in the UK.