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South Downs Youth Action

South Downs Youth Action

Read our latest guidance on visiting the South Downs National Park


*New dates added for 2023* – view our event page on EventbriteĀ 

Welcome to our South Downs Youth Action page where you can learn about how young people aged 16-25 can get involved in the South Downs National Park.

Check out all the available volunteering days on our Eventbrite page.

The best way to stay up to date with upcoming opportunities and events is to sign up to our mailing list.

While urgent action is needed at the national and international level to stem carbon emissions, reduce pollution and protect wildlife, local action is just as important for setting a good example for others to follow and this is what Youth Action Days are all about.Ā 

South Downs Youth Action for anyone aged between 16 and 25 who is passionate about making a difference for the environment and is looking to learn practical skills for helping us to conserve and enhance the South Downs National Park.Ā 

Events calendar

How do I get involved?

There are loads of ways to get involved:

South Downs Youth Action (SDYA) is a youth volunteer programme run by the South Downs National Park Authority. We run volunteering sessions for young people aged 16-25. The sessions last for about 4 hours. Our volunteers are looking for the following things:

  • To make a difference for the environment
  • Get experience towards a career
  • Meet new people
  • Support a college or university course
  • Try something new
  • Experience the South Downs

Why South Downs Youth Action?

We know that young people are passionate about nature and the environment, perhaps like never before in history. We want to ensure that young people are given the chance to get involved with the amazing range of activities happening in the South Downs National Park.

From speaking to youth volunteers we know that young people are looking for dynamic, fun and varied activities which do not involve are flexible yet worthwhile.

We are in the early stages of developing South Downs Youth Action and we want young people to help us steer the direction of youth action in the South Downs.

Who runs South Downs Youth Action?

South Downs Youth Action is organised by the South Downs National Park Authority volunteering team. The activities are led by our ranger teams and project staff who have a wealth of experience and knowledge in areas such as wildlife conservation, land management, cultural heritage, access to the countryside and environmental campaigning.

 

South Downs Youth Ambassadors Kirsty and Cameron

What are Youth Ambassadors?

In September 2018 at the launch of the EUROPARC Youth Manifesto, we created a new volunteer role for people aged 16-25 – Youth Ambassador. Our Youth Ambassadors have done takeovers on the South Downs National Park Instagram and Twitter accounts to promote micro-volunteering, written articles for our website, for publications and local newspapers and delivered a talk at a Brighton University symposium focusing on young people and nature in the UK.

If you are interested in learning more about becoming a Youth Ambassador please email: volunteering@southdowns.gov.uk

Do you provide travel expenses?

Yes! We will reimburse all reasonable public transport expenses incurred by your volunteering.

We hope to see you out there soon in the South Downs!

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"The Downs...too much for one pair of eyes, enough to float a whole population in happiness."