At a glance

  • An opportunity for young people across London to develop foundational skills in journalism and climate action through in-person and online workshops.

  • Participants gain practical experience in filmmaking and digital storytelling while contributing to meaningful social and environmental impact.

  • Participants receive a certificate and a letter of recommendation to support future university or employment applications.

Program Overview

Green Voices provides an opportunity for young people to share their views by writing about and filming environmental issues affecting their neighbourhoods and interviewing people, their friends, family members and others in their community. 

The workshop combines simple journalism principles with a practical activity in every session. Students who enjoy the course and want to continue will be given group reporting assignments and further guidance in written and video journalism.

The programme is part of a three-year local climate action campaign titled Cleaner Greener East London, working across East London to improve green spaces, reduce waste, and create pathways into green jobs. Young people in Green Voices will help document this work, share community stories, and make sure young people’s voices are heard.

Programme Purpose and Vision

A key aim of this programme is to help young people become confident leaders and communicators who can engage with environmental issues affecting their local communities..

Breakdown of the workshop 

Session 1 - What Is Environmental Journalism?

Students are introduced to the basic purpose of journalism: to notice what is happening, ask questions, find evidence and communicate what they discover. They learn the basic questions: Who? What? Where? When?Why? How? 

The class discusses familiar environmental issues such as litter, traffic, air pollution, recycling, green spaces, food waste, waterways, trees and wildlife. They learn how to communicate about these issues effectively.


Session 2 - Facts, Sources and Interviews

Introduce three basic journalistic principles: Be accurate. Be fair. Check your information. Students learn the difference between fact, opinion and rumour, and discuss how to judge whether a source is trustworthy. They are introduced to simple interviewing skills: asking open questions, listening carefully and asking follow-up questions.

Session 3 - Writing a Simple Story

Students learn that news writing should be clear, short and understandable. A basic structure is introduced:

Headline - What happened? - Why does it matter? - Evidence - What does someone affected say? Students see how observations, facts and interview quotes can be combined into a short story.

Session 4 - Telling a Story with Video

Students are introduced to smartphone video journalism. They learn a few basic rules: keep the phone steady, get close enough to the subject, record clear sound, and capture a mixture of wide, medium and close-up shots.

A simple video structure is introduced: Show the problem - Explain it - Hear from someone affected - End with a question or possible solution.



WHY JOIN GREEN VOICES?

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Participation in the Green Voices Network provides valuable benefits for personal, academic, and career development.

Students will have opportunities to:

  • Develop strong communication and journalism skills

  • Build digital literacy and media production skills

  • Strengthen critical thinking and investigative abilities

  • Increase confidence in public speaking and teamwork

  • Develop leadership skills in environmental action

  • Gain awareness of local environmental challenges and solutions

  • Build connections with peers across London

  • The knowledge and experience gained through the programme can further strengthen personal statements, portfolios, and CVs when applying for universities, training opportunities, and careers in media, communications, and environmental science.

Safeguarding and Welfare

Paint the Change maintains a strong commitment to safeguarding and safe participation.

  • All facilitators hold valid DBS checks

  • Activities are delivered in accordance with UK safeguarding standards

  • Inclusive and respectful participation environments are maintained

  • Risk assessments and safeguarding documentation are available upon request

  • Student well-being remains central to all programme delivery.

PARTICIPATION INFORMATION

Target Age Group:

Students aged 15–22

Location:

Sessions will be conducted online and in person at our office in Shoreditch, London.

Program delivery

Green Voices activities are designed to be flexible and compatible with school schedules and extracurricular participation. The workshop comprises of four sessions. Each session includes one hour of introduction and practical exercises involving students, giving them technical skills and encouraging critical thinking.

The four sessions can be delivered over two days with two sessions per day, or over four days with one session each day. Our first round of sessions is scheduled during the half term from the 26th to the 29th October at our office in Shoreditch.

Deadline to apply:

20th October 2026

HOW TO APPLY

Fill in a simple Google form and send us a short video explaining why you would like to become a part of Green Voices!

Click the link below to apply!

aPPLY HERE