SCESY was proud to be amongst the top three nominations for the 'VAS Sheffield Volunteer Great and Green Awards' on Thursday 2nd November. We made a shortlist out of 400 or so overall nominations in a range of different categories. The 'Great and Green' Award category was in the end won by Heeley City Farm. We are really pleased to say that our previous conference partners, Foodworks were also nominated alongside us.
The evening was an enjoyable razzmattazz affair held at the grand surroundings of the Cutlers Hall. Paulette Edwards of BBC Radio Sheffield compered the evening. The whole occasion was a moving recognition of the strength, resilience and humanity of the Sheffield volunteering community during the course of the Covid pandemic, from NHS key workers, to charity sector volunteers, business entrepeneurs and climate educationalists, such as ourselves. We were proud to be recognized alongside this great wealth of Sheffield volunteering spirit, which SCESY represents. The SCESY Schools Conferences epitomize the creativity of the volunteering community in Sheffield, in partnership with the amazing positivity and hopeful energy of the young people in schools across the region in South Yorkshire.

Tiny Forests are dense, fast-growing areas of woodland planted with the aims of reconnecting people with nature, mitigating the effects of climate change and creating nature-rich habitat patches in urban environments. Colleagues at Sheffield Hallam University are currently identifying potential funding which would cover the cost of implementing Tiny Forests in school grounds. To help understand demand and capacity, if you would like to be considered for a Tiny Forest in your school or college, please complete this eForm. More information about Tiny Forests and the requirements are available Sheffield Hallam’s microsite.

How is your school responding to the climate and nature emergencies?
The School Strikes for Climate and numerous surveys show that large numbers of young people globally do not believe their education is preparing them for a changing and uncertain future. The Department for Education’s ‘Sustainability and Climate Change Strategy’ wants all schools to appoint a Sustainability and Climate Change Coordinator and to put in place a Climate Action Plan by 2025. This training session will help school coordinators to develop a whole-school approach to sustainability and climate change. DESCY have secured funding for 5 free places on a first come, first served basis. To find out more, click here. 

Let’s Go Zero – the national campaign for zero carbon schools – is helping school staff and students create fantastic, inspirational projects that inspire climate action through a connection to nature.

For a chance of winning, schools just have to tell us how they would use a prize of £1,000 or £200 to bring their students closer to nature. The competition is supported by The OVO Foundation and there are 25 chances to win: 10 prizes of £1000 and 15 prizes of £200. Winning schools will also get the opportunity to share the story of what they are doing, and the impact it is creating. To find out more, click here. 

'Time is Running Out' Exhibition at Magna

 A national touring exhibition is showing at Magna Science Adventure Centre from 7th to 23rd November. The exhibition explores the future of infrastructure and the role of civil engineers in helping society respond to the challenges of climate change and meet net zero targets by 2050. Featuring original hand-drawn illustrations and animations, six children talk to TV presenter and engineer Rob Bell about a wide range of global problems. This educational exhibition is perfect for families, young people and anyone who wants to learn more about engineering. To find out more, click here.

Do you have a vegetable garden in your school? Do you know 'The Three Sisters' method that utilises space while also producing healthly, pesticide -free produce? To find out more, read from the Royal Horticultural Society page here. 

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