LGBT Youth Scotland in the Borders: Youth Climate

With funding from the Youth Climate Action Fund 2024, LGBT Youth Scotland in the Borders worked with Lisa McLeish of Wild About The Borders / Go Wild Scotland, on a project named “Squirrel Club”. This was a multi venue set of sessions rooted in nature and red squirrel conservation. They started in Mauldsheugh Woods, Selkirk with a talk on squirrel conservation, along with a chance to use the bird hide and learn about changes in land use (particularly types of woodland). This was followed by a Pride Picnic, based in the woodland, next to the pond, which gave young people a chance to be out as themselves, while doing crafts with natural materials.

The third session took place indoors, and was focussed on squirrel feeders – and they completed (with a lot of noise!) six complete feeders for use in our own gardens, and also in local woodlands to improve squirrel habitat. The final session was at The Haining, and created a stop-motion animation on the need to protect woodland habitat and be aware of nature biodiversity.

They had a total of 12 young people engaged in the project, with ages ranging from 14 to 21, and made special attention to accessibility by only using sites that were accessible through step free means, using our existing (accessible) premises, and constantly monitoring the sensory and emotional needs of young people throughout the project. They also ensured that a range of dietary needs were catered for at the Pride Picnic, and allergies were taken special note of.

The young people thoroughly enjoyed the sessions, one said: "I can personally attest to the fact that squirrel club was very fun today! And the staff + volunteers at the woods are lovely as well".