Welcome to Young Place Shapers

Youth led volunteering action that is good for people and good for the planet

Young Place Shapers, an Environment Trust project part-funded by the Royal Borough of Kingston, helps young people and young adults to lead and support practical action in their community that is good for people and good for the planet.

We're about putting young people at the heart of communities by supporting them to undertake practical action that improves local spaces and places, whilst providing them with skills and experience that can support their future.

We can work with young people to help them apply knowledge and skills they’re learning at college, university, work or at home.

See our blog for the latest news

What we do

We work with young people and young adults aged 16-24 interested in undertaking practical action to tackle environmental and social issues.

Our programme aims to provide them with opportunities to apply and further develop their knowledge, skills and confidence to lead and support positive change in the world around them, promoting healthier and more sustainable living.

As leaders, they can also make a positive difference in their communities, inspire other young people to become active citizens, and demonstrate their talents and skills to potential employers.

Why the environment matters to young people

Today's young people will be tomorrow's leaders; their involvement is fundamental to achieving long term positive change in caring for local environments. They are also valuable citizens in their own right today and need to be actively involved in shaping local communities. Research analysis by the National Children's Bureau (2011) found gaps in opportunities for young people to have their voices heard in relation to environmental concerns, and that they do not feel confident or inclined to access opportunities. Also, more work is needed to enable young people's participation.

Evidence suggests that the terms and language of environmentalism can discourage responsibility towards and action on environmental issues because it is seen to relate mostly to global environmental issues and those who have the capacity and resources to embrace environmental issues in their daily lives, neglecting the experiences and interests of communities where other more immediate local concerns take priority.