Thousands of young people from Bournemouth to Southampton and across the New Forest have been taking action against climate change in a £1.4 million Youth for Climate and Nature (YouCAN) scheme.

Led by the New Forest National Park Authority, young people have been empowered  to understand and lead climate action within their communities, having their voices heard on the biggest stages and grasping opportunities to develop green skills and careers.

The YouCAN scheme has engaged more than 31,000 young people between the ages of 11 and 25 across the 300 square mile area of the New Forest, Southampton, and Bournemouth, Christchurch, and Poole since it launched in October 2023.

In this, the first in a three-part blog series, we hear from leaders at YouCAN partners – the New Forest National Park Authority and Theatre for Life – about the impact the scheme is having for young people, their organisations, the New Forest National Park and surrounding areas.

• Read part two of the series here.
• Read part three of the series here.

New Forest National Park Authority

The New Forest National Park Authority has supported green skills, careers, and education through climate literacy training, regular young adult volunteering and junior ranger sessions and launching a New Forest Thrive festival.

The NPA also established a New Forest Youth Board growing the presence of young voices in and around the Forest and a Young Content Creator scheme aiding young people producing climate and nature-focused materials.

New Forest National Park Authority Youth Development Officer Claire Pearce said:

‘One of the most important impacts YouCAN has had within the New Forest is to empower young people to have a voice within decision-making processes.

‘YouCAN has played an important role in supporting and upskilling the next generation of green professionals through skills, careers, and education opportunities – and the passion and determination of these young people gives me confidence for the future of the New Forest.

‘As future guardians of this special landscape, young people’s unique perspectives are vital to a sustainable future for the Forest, and the impact of their involvement will live on long beyond the timescales of the YouCAN project.’

Claire added:

‘I’ve been honoured to watch the contributions that young people can make to the natural world when given the opportunity and trust by organisations, from getting involved with conservation tasks to making their voices heard on key issues.

‘YouCAN has provided the resources and opportunities to empower the young people we work with, and in almost every case they surpass expectations.

‘YouCAN has proved how dedicated and passionate young people can be about the natural world, which goes against statistics that show a drop in engagement with nature between the ages of 11 and 25.’

Theatre for Life

• Discover Theatre for Life’s Bringing the Outside In tour and check for tickets.

Theatre for Life is a community arts organisation working with community groups, educational organisations, and charities to support people in Southampton and the New Forest areas.

Theatre for Life brought its youth-led Bringing the Outside In production to the stage in summer 2025 with debut performances at Southampton’s MAST Mayflower theatre following months of rehearsals and preview shows at partner YouCAN events, including the New Forest Thrive and Urban Wild festivals.

Bringing the Outside In built upon research and feedback gained from young people and sessions with climate scientists and conservationists out in the New Forest and Southampton and has paved the way for a multi-venue Hampshire tour in 2026.

Theatre for Life Artistic Director Michelle Smith said:

‘The “YouCAN Effect” is about inspiring and empowering young people to take action and feel optimistic about how we can work together, rather than feel helpless in the face of significant environmental change.

‘Our Bringing the Outside In production serves as a strong example of promoting collective action and demonstrates how you can be inspired to make meaningful changes with the support of your local community.

‘We believe small actions can create the biggest impact, and this message is something we sustain throughout our work.

‘By gathering rich stories and insights from young people about how they wish to inspire change within their communities, we were able to incorporate these narratives into our final theatre production.’

Michelle added:

‘The Bringing the Outside In production can have a remarkable legacy and is a powerful piece of theatre that can extend beyond the YouCAN project.

‘The play serves as a remarkable educational tool that heightens awareness around air pollution and its unseen health impacts, while at the same time it conveys positive messages through folklore and the rich history of the New Forest to inspire climate action.’

Looking ahead, Michelle suggested Bringing the Outside In could be adapted to incorporate local folklore and heritage in various National Park settings to create compelling climate-based theatre experiences at a national level.

She concluded:

‘On a personal level, the project has opened my eyes to how climate health can affect those who are most marginalised or alienated due to socioeconomic circumstances.

‘At the heart of our work, we strive to support these communities. I truly hope Bringing the Outside In helps dispel myths and raises awareness about climate health and anxiety.’

• • The Youth for Climate and Nature (YouCAN) scheme has been made possible thanks to National Lottery players through a £1.2 million Climate Action Fund grant from the National Lottery Community Fund – the largest community funder in the UK – and a further £264,000 in match funding from partners.

• • Find out more about the YouCAN scheme and the partners involved by clicking here: https://www.newforestnpa.gov.uk/communities/young-people/youth-for-climate-and-nature-youcan/