Wild Blue Yonder: Youth Social Action

This scheme is a school's programme for KS2 students across Lancaster and Morecambe.

Funded by the Areti Charitable Trust, it has been developed to connect young people aged 7-11 from across the Bay to their natural environment.

Focussed on ‘blue spaces’ (the sea, rivers, lakes, canals, reservoirs, estuaries), young people taking part will:

• Foster a sense of curiosity in nature and the unique landscape of the Bay.
• Find joy in being outdoors, removing some of the barriers to nature-based activities.
• Reap the health and wellbeing benefits of being outdoors.
• Develop their sense of belonging and pride of place.
• Contribute to the Bay’s care and conservation.
• Learn how to encourage others to live more sustainably.
• Create meaningful, life-long connections with nature.
• Become a Morecambe Bay Partnership Climate Ambassador

How it Looks

Locate & Learn (up to ½ day) – An opportunity for young people to identify their local blue spaces and learn more about them in preparation for getting outdoors.

Connect & Reflect (1 full day) – Utilise skills and resources to connect with a local blue space (Leighton Moss Nature Reserve) and reflect on their experiences.

Affect & Pledge (up to ½ day) – Identify issues and act on climate change by working towards something positive in the community.

The scheme will take a minimum of two-days to complete and is free to schools across Lancaster and Morecambe. If you would like to know more, you can download the information document here or contact our Youth Engagement Officer – Anthony@morecambebay.org.uk.

Blue Influencers Scheme - what is it?

The Blue Influencers Scheme is a ground-breaking initiative from UK outdoor education charity The Ernest Cook Trust, with the ambition to support young people from underserved communities and those living in deprived coastal, estuary and riverside locations, by empowering them to tackle environmental and climate issues.

Running until 2026/7, Morecambe Bay Partnership is one of many charities across the UK tasked with supporting young people aged 10-14 through their climate action journeys.

Available to young people in schools, community spaces and other youth focused organisations, our Blue Mentor will work with them to connect to their local blue spaces (sea, rivers, lakes, estuary, ponds, streams, reservoirs) and address environmental issues affecting habitats and wildlife.

With an initial £560 available to get the group started (travel, refreshments, field trip and resources), they can then apply for up to £5,000 from the Ernest Cook Trust to develop a climate action project.

Case Study: Carnforth Community Primary School

In partnership with Global Link, we worked with year five and six students at Carnforth Community Primary School. They took part in field trips to the River Keer and Walney Island Nature Reserve, and developed ideas to raise awareness of local plastic pollution flowing into the ocean.

The Carnforth BIG Litter Pick – The group designed and delivered a local litter pick involving local people.

Bottle Top Challenge – The group collected loose bottle tops from home, friends, family and local businesses to recycle into new items. They also created a mural outside the school.

Landfill Campaign – The group developed a campaign to raise awareness of historical coastal landfills at risk of or currently falling into sea, due to natural erosion processes.

How is the Blue Influencers project funded?

The £2.25 million Scheme is being match-funded by The Ernest Cook Trust and the #iwill Fund, and will run for three years.

The #iwill Fund is made possible thanks to £66 million joint investment from The National Lottery Community Fund and the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) to support young people to access high quality social action opportunities. The Ernest Cook Trust is acting as a match funder and awarding grants on behalf of the #iwill Fund.