Young Minders Sustainability Day – Building a Greener, Inclusive Future

mindersyoung
Oct 5
3 min read

Yesterday, Young Minders hosted our first-ever Sustainability Day — a milestone in our five-year ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) journey. Families, volunteers, and young change makers came together to learn, create, and take action for a greener, fairer world.

Take a sneak peak!

Our ESG goals guide everything we do: Environmental – reducing waste, up-cycling, and empowering children to protect our planet Social – creating inclusive spaces where every family, especially those with SEND needs, feels supported and celebrated Governance – leading with transparency, accountability, and ethical practices.

Highlights from the Day

The day was filled with creativity, collaboration, and learning. Families took part in:

🌱 Up-cycling milk bottles into bird feeders
👜 Designing reusable tote bags
♻️ Sorting everyday items to decide what could be reused, recycled, or composted
⚡ Hearing from Arifa at Repowering London, who shared inspiring insights on how communities can access local, affordable, and sustainable energy solutions

A special thank you to Park Village Oasis for bringing this session to your community. We’re excited to return soon with more workshops and activities — continuing to grow a community where small actions spark big change.

Before the Workshop: What Participants Hoped to Gain

Ahead of the event, families shared what they hoped to achieve through our pre-evaluation survey. Their main goals included:

Helping their children learn about reuse and recycling
Discovering new sustainability techniques and eco-friendly habits
Learning practical ways to reduce waste at home

Participants rated their current knowledge of sustainability at an average of 2.7 out of 5, showing that most were just beginning their journey and eager to learn more.

After the Workshop: What They Learned

Our post-evaluation revealed significant growth in both confidence and understanding.

✅ 100% of participants found the content relevant and engaging
🎨 The most popular activity was “Up-cycle & Create”, where families crafted reusable and decorative items from everyday materials
🌟 The average satisfaction score was 4.7 out of 5, reflecting a highly positive experience
🌿 Participants reported gaining practical skills in up-cycling and waste reduction, and new ideas for sustainable living at home

Families also commented on how much their children enjoyed learning through creativity.

“It helped us see how small steps can make a big difference.”

One participant suggested hosting similar sessions earlier in the autumn to make the most of the weather a valuable insight we’ll consider for future planning.

Pre- and Post-Workshop Impact Snapshot

Evaluation Area	Before the Workshop	After the Workshop
Average Knowledge of Sustainability	2.7 / 5	4.5 / 5 (self-reported growth and satisfaction)
Engagement & Enjoyment	—	100% found content relevant and engaging
Practical Takeaways	Desired ideas for recycling & reuse	Gained skills in up-cycling, waste reduction, and home sustainability
Overall Satisfaction	—	4.7 / 5 average score

This data clearly shows the positive shift from interest to action — demonstrating how creative, hands-on learning can inspire lasting environmental awareness.

Looking Ahead

Our Sustainability Day marks just the beginning of a larger commitment to embed sustainability and inclusion across all Young Minders programmes. Through continued workshops, partnerships, and family-led initiatives, we aim to build a movement that celebrates creativity, care for the planet, and community empowerment.