We’re excited to announce the launch of Southampton National Park City's "Young Placemakers" Mentorship Programme, a new initiative for 2024/5. Delivered as part of the YouCAN partnership and funded by the National Lottery Community Fund, this programme is designed to inspire, upskill, and resource Southampton’s young and emerging community leaders to become change agents in their local neighbourhoods.

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What is a 'placemaker'?​​

 

Placemaking refers to practices that build good quality, restorative and equitable places for us to live, work and play. This encompasses thinking and acting simultaneously on behalf of local human communities, but also local nature and biodiversity, understanding that all our needs are deeply aligned. Placemakers actively engage in these practices, focus on creating environments, cultures and opportunities that foster community, well-being, and sustainability. By reimagining and revitalizing spaces, they help create more inclusive, green, and resilient communities. In essence, placemakers are changemakers, dedicated to making our cities and neighbourhoods more liveable and rooted within nature.​

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What does the programme involve?

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Supported by experienced and passionate local campaigners, organisers, activists and more, participants will be supported to explore general principles of social/environmental action, and steps towards identifying local needs and opportunities. In partnership with their mentors, young placemakers will develop and deliver small local projects with and for their community, focused on enhancing urban green spaces, promoting biodiversity, nature connection, tackling socio-environmental injustices, and addressing the pressing challenges posed by climate change.

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Find out more about how to get involved by following the relevant links below.

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