My Journey with Our Bright Future

Naomi Simpson, 17 years old, Leeds

Throughout school I always had an interest in sustainability, but school failed to truly inspire me to make a real change. It was only when, five months into the global pandemic and nationwide school closures, I was drawn into the world of Our Bright Future.

I was scrolling through Instagram and flicked past an advert for a course called ‘Bright Green Future’, which was organised by Our Bright Green Future. I decided to sign up, and despite missing the deadline, I gained a place on the sustainability course.

I had no idea that joining onto this course would lead me into a world of climate action and give me a real sense of appreciation for our environment. After a few sessions on the course and hearing about the climate action my friends were involved with, I was inspired to take the opportunity to join Our Bright Future’s Youth Forum.

Now, a year later, I continue to attend the Youth Forum’s weekly meetings, while I prepare for my graduation from the ‘Bright Green Future’ course.

Our Bright Future is a programme funded by The National Lottery Community Fund. The programme includes 31 projects across the UK which aim to positively encourage young people into acting on climate change. It focuses primarily on three principle aims, these include: learning in and about nature, supporting young people in gaining environmentally focussed employment and to influence employers, businesses, policymakers, schools, and charities to focus more on the impact climate change has on young people.

For me, as a young person, it’s clear that Our Bright Future really values my voice. The project staff and volunteers work towards providing future generations with a platform to talk about climate action and really encourage people to not just speak, but to act. No idea is a bad one, and the opinions of young people really do matter to Our Bright Future.

Over the years, Our Bright Future has seen over 115,000 people engage with their projects. Personally, the greatest impact the programme has had on me is the influence and encouragement to seek out more opportunities, I now regularly assist with my local Youth for Climate group, creating campaigns to raise awareness of climate change and the impact environmental degradation will have on our local communities.

Despite only being a teenager myself, an area of climate activism I am currently exploring is assuring the voices of younger generations are heard. A lot of youth groups only take members aged 16 and upwards, but I really believe it’s important to have conversations about climate with children and young teens too.

The actions of influential young people continue to fuel my determination to make a difference. Alongside my full-time studies, and with continued support from Our Bright Future, I am gaining skills that put me in good stead to try and make a change.

Our Bright Future has really given me the confidence and experiences to apply myself and take up new opportunities. The project staff are supportive and encourage us to work closely with other young climate activists. Being part of Our Bright Future has been a pivotal experience for me and has cemented my dedication to contributing to an environmental movement that I believe will be pivotal to the assurance of our future.