YGF Gloucestershire, June 2015

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Gloucestershire

25-26 June 2015

Thank you Ubico for sponsoring this brochure

Welcome to

Your Green Future In 2015 we were pleased to return to Cheltenham and run an event for schools across Gloucestershire.

Several years ago the Your Green Future pilot was delivered in Cheltenham. Since then the initiative has gone from strength to strength, running events for thousands of young people across the South West and Midlands. In 2015 we welcomed the opportunity to partner with the University of Gloucestershire, which enabled us to return to the area and help boost skills and awareness for a stronger and more sustainable Gloucestershire economy.

At the event hundreds of students worked alongside businesses. Together they addressed a series of real business challenges, details of which can be found in the ‘Day to Innovate’ section of this

brochure. The following ‘Proof it works’ section shows how Your Green Future not only has a great impact on students and teachers but, how it also gives back to the local businesses who support it.

But we can’t claim all the credit! Your Green Future highlights the importance, and possibilities, that partnership working can bring about. Over the coming year we hope to be able to give more of today’s young people the chance to participate in the Your Green Future initiative. But we need your help to make this happen! To find out how to get involved please turn to the end of this brochure.

Your Green Future is a project by Severn Wye Energy Agency, an independent charity and not-for profit company which aims to promote sustainable energy and affordable warmth through partnership, awareness-raising, innovation and strategic action. www.severnwye.org.uk

Contacts

Rachel Brain Head of Education & Training rachelb@severnwye.org.uk 01452 835069

Cecily Etherington Project Manager cecilye@severnwye.org.uk 01452 835076

Core Sponsor:

Hosted by:

99%

of students enjoyed the event and learnt new things

Your Green Future What’s it all about?

Your Green Future is an interactive event which engages school students with a low carbon economy, and their potential role in creating this through their career choices.

Each event sees hundreds of 12 to 18 year olds work with businesses in a series of creative activities which investigate the changing face of business, from local sustainable business models to cutting edge technologies.

Overall, Your Green Future will support the local community becoming a sustainable environment in which businesses flourish, communities thrive and individuals have the opportunity to reach their potential.

The project emerges from the background challenges of youth unemployment, STEM skill shortages and, the need to develop a low carbon, resilient economy.

Details can be found at www.yourgreenfuture.org.uk

Who we’ve engaged with?

10 events

2816 STUDENTS

run across the South West and Midlands.

aged 12 to 18 years old have participated with their teachers.

136 Schools

267 Businesses

have attended the events.

have supported the events.

In Gloucestershire We were pleased to be able to deliver the Your Green Future event in Cheltenham for schools across Gloucestershire.

When: 25th and 26th June 2015 Where: University of Gloucestershire, Park Campus

Who attended?

17

schools from across Gloucestershire

245

12 to 18 year olds

34

businesses bringing 57 business representatives

Student Stats?

48% Male

52%

Female

Very enjoyable event, really buzzing - I also learnt from the other speakers.

Connect Regen

Local Delivery Team In order to deliver the Your Green Future event in Gloucestershire and ensure it met local needs, Severn Wye Energy Agency set up, and worked closely with, a Local Delivery Team.

Big thank you to the volunteers on the day: Rotary

A day to innovate A creative programme

Inspirational speakers, interactive workshops and an opportunity to make higher education and industry connections.

Develop

innovate with technology

Discover careers in sustainability

Engaging work s h o p s products fit for 2015

Manage waste & resources

Plan our Future energy

I most enjoyed the exhibitor hall because it was fun talking to all the different people. I learnt interesting things and got to know about new and upcoming things.

Student

What happened Speakers Dave Rostron Sustainability Manager, H&M

Stephen Marston Vice Chancellor, University of Gloucestershire

Martin Horwood Liberal Democrat Member of Parliament for Cheltenham from 2005 until 2015

Justin Ratcliffe Chief Executive, Council for Aluminium in Building

Career Pathways Exhibition Facilitated by: Oakgrove Associates Sponsored by: Rotary Clubs of Cheltenham; Cheltenham North; Cheltenham Sunrise; Cheltenham Cleeve Vale; North Cotswolds; Tewkesbury

In a nutshell All students spent time in the Career Pathways Exhibition and were set the challenge of interviewing diverse organisations. This included finding out about the organisation, the diversity of sustainability related jobs and, to consider

Q

this information against their own interests, talents and aspirations. Students were also able to speak to education and training providers, providing them with an awareness of pathways into jobs.

How could you use what you like doing to work in a green job?

As a physics fan I feel that I could help develop sustainable ways of creating energy.

I could use marketing / business skills to promote awareness.

Art and design for architecture or sustainable building.

Travel – go to countries and help them overcome the changes in the climate.

Using my engineering skills to work out how to make things sustainably.

Use my love for the environment to save it.

Workshops Your Business Future Develop food and fashion products fit for 2025

Sponsored by: Cheltenham Borough Council Thanks to Waitrose for providing the workshop prizes

In a nutshell Teams of students worked with successful businesses to develop fashion and food items of today into products fit for 2025.

Each team entered their product into the Future Food and Fashion Awards, and voted for the most sustainable entry, in terms of people, planet and profit.

Overall, students gained an understanding of the choices, the opportunities and the challenges of putting environmental, social and economic sustainability at the core of business.

Q

WINNERS • B arley Beauty: A moisturising foundation using yeast oils (to replace palm oil). Workers would be paid a fair price and packaging would be made from recycled materials.

• “ Chick-N”: Chicken nuggets using locally sourced British chicken, which would support rural communities that would otherwise be in decline.

They are breaded in bread that would otherwise be thrown away and packaged with recycled cardboard.

• F ur friendly jackets using fake fur made out of recycled plastics.

Factories would employ unemployed people, having a positive effect on the local economy.

One thing I have learnt in this workshop We must adapt so that we can ensure a sustainable future.

You can use recycled products to make new products.

How to be imaginative.

How to design a sustainable product.

I have learnt that you can do a lot to help the environment.

The children provide many insights into how businesses should think in terms of how to approach sustainability issues.

H&M

Q

Next time I buy food, fashion or other products I will think about I will think about how it got here, how it was made, if the workers are paid enough and everything that went behind it.

I will think about animal cruelty, traceability as well as Fairtrade, because it can affect people’s lives as well as their jobs.

I will want the company to be sustainable and fair to producers.

97% of students

I will check what is used to make the product, and if it is good for the environment or not.

enjoyed this workshop

Workshops Your energy Future Plan our future energy needs & deliver them today

Delivered by: Severn Wye Energy Agency, as part of Night Hawks Sponsored by: Barnwood Construction

In a nutshell Students worked in teams, with diverse businesses, to develop a sustainable energy plan for Snowdonia National Park.

They investigated different forms of renewable energy and considered the relative potential of different methods for reducing consumption, including both behaviour change and technical measures.

Students also considered the types of job roles that may be relevant when it comes to implementing their chosen solutions.

As a result of working through these challenges students began to understand that when making decisions we must consider a range of factors; environmental, social and financial and, that a range of solutions will be required as the issues are diverse and complex.

91% of students left the event with a better understanding of energy efficiency and renewables

The Snowdonia National Park puzzle was great fun especially when we succeeded!

Student

Q

What have you learnt about energy efficiency and production?

I have learnt that the production of renewable energy takes a lot of thinking and balancing of costs and materials, as well as taking into account protected areas.

I have learnt that energy consumption can moderately and easily be reduced via simple and minor changes. Throughout a large area this can make a huge difference!

I have learnt about jobs in the energy sector and how they can help with the environment.

That solar panels are a very effective source of energy, and can power a whole school!

“The energy workshop was really good.�

Ecotricity

Workshops Your Innovative Future

Invest in cutting edge technologies to address today’s challenges Delivered by: Graphic Science Sponsored by: South Gloucestershire and Stroud College

In a nutshell During this Dragons’ Den style workshop leading businesses pitched innovations, based on real industry developments to teams of student Dragons.

After the pitches the Dragons had the opportunity to ask questions about the innovations, before deciding how they would invest their £1,000,000 worth of funding. Following investment, the students offered the businesses suggestions on how they could improve their ideas.

pitches • E lectric aeroplane technology, which uses solar panels on the wings by Airbus.

• S ustainable vehicle development, notably electric cars, by Tata Motors European Technical Centre.

• A community-led initiative to transform a council-owned car park into a community hub which incorporates sustainable principles.

Overall, students greatly enhanced their knowledge of the crucial role of science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) in creating a low carbon future.

• S GS College’s plan for a new college which gives young people the opportunity to gain the skills needed for STEM careers.

83% of students

• A n initiative to reduce charcoal usage (and hence deforestation) in South Africa through locally made solar ovens by Rotary.

left the event with a better understanding about what engineering is

94% of students enjoyed this workshop

I really enjoyed Dragons Den because you learnt about future plans in a creative and fun way.

Student

Q

One thing I learnt in this workshop Sustainability is a larger contribution to the world than I realised. In theory everything can be made more sustainable if more people jump on board, to develop a bright and cleaner future.

That a company can do lots of things that create huge benefits, such as efficient manufacturing that is sustainable.

Real people are extremely concerned about the earth and they are doing something about it.

That sometimes projects that don’t cost that much can still have a large impact on the community.

“In careers guidance, sustainability issues can help raise awareness of the importance of STEM careers.”

Teacher

Workshops Your Resourceful Future

Create solutions to minimise waste & sustain resources Delivered by: InterClimate Network

In a nutshell During this workshop, teams of students took on the role of six local organisations. Working with business mentors from these companies they undertook a series of challenges in order to devise a creative solution to tackle a real-life waste issue that their company was trying to address.

Overall, students gained an understanding of the need to reduce waste across major job sectors and experienced how different job roles can help to make positive changes.

Q

What has surprised you about waste?

There is a lot of waste. More than I expected or imagined.

The different types of waste we create.

That so much waste goes to landfill when it could go to much better use.

How much food we waste and what it could be used for and made into, such as renewable energy.

big ideas Students suggested that the Estates Team at the University of Gloucestershire, who want to improve the Waste Management Strategy at their halls of residence, introduce reversible vending machines.

Students post their empty bottles and cans back and receive a token in return. When tokens have mounted up, they can be redeemed for treats such as cinema tickets and food! The key message to promote it is ‘Cash for Cans, Bills 4 Bottles!’

[I most enjoyed] Your Resourceful Future because we came up with different recycling ideas for three different audiences. I learnt a lot and really enjoyed it Student

Q

How could we deal with waste better?

Reuse all that you can or if not recycle if it is possible. But better still, create less waste in the first place.

Show the target audience proper statistics to show them the impact and encourage against it.

Become more responsible for our own waste.

Getting more people to recognise the problem.

95% of students enjoyed this workshop

Proof it works

Delivering the Your Green Future agenda Your Green Future aims to meet both school and business needs, and aligns with a real need to develop an understanding of sustainability and to tap into new skills. Careful evaluation ensures its quality.

Take a look at the results!

Developing knowledge, prospects and skills Through life-like practical and creative activities, and communication with professionals, Your Green Future events aim to enhance 12 to 18 year olds knowledge, prospects and skills.

Knowledge of the evolving low carbon, sustainable economy Q

Do you know what a low-carbon, sustainable future means?

Q

Which industries do you think are involved in a sustainable economy?

event stats

Pre event

Pre Event

Post Event

42% Yes 16% No 42% Unsure

23% 70% NGO’s

Post event 90% Yes 3% No

80% 94% energy

7% Unsure 58% 73% Land management

“Very worthwhile and beneficial to all involved. I wish I’d been able to do similar events at school.”

Cavendish Nuclear

48% 77% Construction

17%

74%

Engineering

32% 75% food & Drink

Fashion

19% 62% Politics

50% 85%

64% 87% Waste & water

Prospects including providing students with a clear view on the current job market and training opportunities Post event opinion

93% of students said

that following the event they have a better understanding of the different types of jobs that are available to them

91% of students said

that following the event they have a better understanding of the further education pathways open to them e.g. university courses and apprenticeship courses

“It was interesting to find out about apprenticeships with Airbus.”

Student

Enhance student’s vocational skills Q

I think the Your Green Future event has improved my skills in…

86% Communication

86% Decision Making

92% Teamwork

89% Problem Solving

The event brought in a wide range of career options that I did not know were an option, especially in terms of aspects such as fashion industries etc.

Teacher

I most enjoyed the exhibitor hall because it helped me to learn where I can go in the future.

Student

Developing work related learning Your Green Future event activities are designed in collaboration with teachers to ensure they provide real learning. Additionally, events can kick start future activity and collaboration for schools. Notably, Your Green Future events:

Link to the National Curriculum and a wide range of college courses “Fantastic day. Lots of things for the pupils to get involved with. All activities focused on sustainability with links to careers appropriately placed.”

Teacher “A great event to open up your students’ eyes to the opportunities available in a wide variety of careers - though the theme was low carbon future, the message that got through to my students was that whatever industry they go into they should consider the impact it will have on the environment and do their best to minimise any negative impacts.”

Teacher

95%

of teachers said the event linked to the National Curriculum

100%

of teachers learnt from THE EVENT

Provide ideas and inspiration for schools “I really enjoyed the opportunity to network with other teachers and to make links with local industries for possible work experience placements and speakers for lecture events that we host.”

Teacher “We are now looking into putting vertical axis windmill generators onto the light towers of the new astroturf pitch.”

Teacher “I will be using some of the activities in the classroom – energy, climate change, and national parks in particular.”

Teacher

Enhancing business Whilst the target audience is schools through active participation the event is a fantastic opportunity for businesses, notably to:

Raise the awareness of and promote their organisation “An outstanding opportunity to highlight the benefits of the Green Economy and where your organisation plays a key role.”

Council for Aluminium in Buildings “A great opportunity to engage future colleagues and customers with both sustainability issues and the work we are undertaking as a company.”

Hennes & Mauritz UK Ltd “It’s a good platform in which to showcase the work we do as a company and how sustainability is involved within the work we do.”

Cavendish Nuclear

100%

of Businesses said the event was a good opportunity to promote their organisation in the local area

95% of businesses said the event provided a good opportunity to network with other businesses

Network with a diverse audience “I really enjoyed the opportunity to network with organisations outside my normal sphere of contacts; stimulated many ideas for me to follow up - both for my organisation and me personally.”

Tata Motors “Very good for engaging with young people and exploring partnership opportunities with like-minded employers.”

SGS College “Very inspiring to see such a well organised event engaging so many young people. Useful to meet other businesses in the sector who also see these events as valuable.”

Morgan Sindall

Inspiring, challenging, fun, educational (for me as well as the young people!), entirely worthwhile and recommended.

Lemon Gazelle

Inspire and be inspired “An enjoyable, creative and inspiring way to help inspire future generations.

A great way to engage with young people around the issues of environmental sustainability.”

“(I was inspired to hear) the kids ask questions and interact around issues of sustainability, amazing to hear them asking the same questions my colleagues do!”

Cheltenham Green Doors

Morgan Sindall

Tap into new skills

91% of businesses said the event gave their organisation the opportunity to promote the skills they need now and in the future.

Develop new and unique ideas and undertake market research “The workshops provide a great environment in which it is possible to gain an understanding of what issues resonate most for the future generation.”

Hennes & Mauritz UK Ltd “The engagement with young people offers a direct way to get feedback on the benefits of an approach or idea. For the college launching the concept of a new college campus which will generate its own electricity this was invaluable.”

SGS College

A tremendous interactive experience for school children making them aware of the need for “green� thinking and the exciting career opportunities working towards a sustainable future.

Tata Motors

Thanks to the businesses Core Sponsor:

Workshop Sponsors:

Hosted by:

Exhibitors and Workshop Mentors:

Adrian Philips | D’Arcie Rice | Ian Harris | Steve Hale | Martin Horwood

Photographers Acknowledgement RichMcD Photography www.richmcd.co.uk

The photos and feedback statistics may not be reproduced, distributed or modified without the express written permission of Severn Wye Energy Agency.

100%

of businesses would be happy to take part in future events

Get Involved

Change can happen through education Between 2015 and 2016, due to the success of our past events, and an increasing demand from all our event supporters, we plan to further develop and deliver the Your Green Future programme.

In order to achieve this aim we would welcome your support.

Opportunities include: • J oin a Local Delivery Team in order to support Your Green Future development and delivery, notably ensuring that the event meets local needs.

• P articipate in an event.

Your organisation can support the event’s creative workshops by volunteering a member of staff to share their expertise. You can also provide an interactive exhibition showcasing your company, its initiatives and opportunities.

• S ponsor an event.

We work hard to raise the funds for each event, to enable the schools to attend free of charge. We would welcome your support and opportunities start at £700. Sponsorship benefits, including brand exposure, are outlined on: yourgreenfuture.org.uk

Your Green Future is a project by Severn Wye Energy Agency, an independent charity and not-for profit company which aims to promote sustainable energy and affordable warmth through partnership, awareness-raising, innovation and strategic action. www.severnwye.org.uk

Contacts

Rachel Brain Head of Education & Training rachelb@severnwye.org.uk 01452 835069

Cecily Etherington Project Manager cecilye@severnwye.org.uk 01452 835076

About Severn Wye

A bright, secure and sustainable future, free from fuel poverty Severn Wye Energy Agency is a charity and a not-for-profit company. Born out of an ambition to end fuel poverty we focus on partnership building and providing practical expertise to help communities become more energy efficient and sustainable.

We are doing this by translating strategic thinking into real action, developing projects and solutions, offering impartial advice and technical support and, providing training and education for people of all ages and backgrounds.

Severn Wye supporting Gloucestershire Alongside our education work Severn Wye are working in partnership with local organisations and authorities to bring a variety of benefits to communities across Gloucestershire.

This includes running the Link to Energy network, which is a handy, easy-touse online directory which helps to put individuals, groups and businesses in touch with local suitable energy efficiency and renewable energy installers. As well as the potential for new business, installer members are also invited to regular

meetings, have the chance to network with other businesses, and to find out about any changes in legislation and local training. To find out more visit; www.linktoenergy.org.uk We are also improving the homes of Gloucestershire residents through our Warm and Well scheme. Since 2001 the scheme has supported thousands of householders in reducing their energy bills as well as making them more comfortable in their homes.

This has included seeing more than 12,000 energy saving measures installed in over 8,000 homes.

Get in touch If you’re interested in working with us or you’d like to talk about how we might be able to help you, your business or school please get in touch.

01452 835060

We look forward to hearing from you.

@Severn_Wye

info@severnwye.org.uk www.severnwye.org.uk

Severn Wye Energy Agency is registered in England & Wales. Charity reg no. 1083812 Company reg no. 3830608

Over 90% of clients have rated the overall service of Warm and Well as ‘Excellent’ or ‘Good’ for the past five years.

“Incredibly enlightening and superbly organised.”

Council for Aluminium in Buildings

“Fantastic event that really promoted thinking about the future for our students - thank you!”

Teacher

“I most enjoyed making links with people in business.”

Student

© 2015 by the author of this brochure (Severn Wye Energy Agency). Severn Wye retains sole copyright to their contributions to this brochure.