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Three young people with gloves, bin bags and pickers, looking for rubbish at Soughbottom Meadows on a sunny day.

Youth Forum litter picking at Sloughbottom Meadows (credit: Ali Smith)

Youth Forum

Our new youth-led collective is a small group of like-minded people who, together, will help to shape the future for Norfolk's wildlife.

They meet as a group every month at NWT's headquarters in Norwich, with lots of opportunities to organise and take part in activities in wild spaces across Norfolk.

Through regular activities and get-togethers, we support the Youth Forum members to:

  • Manage a nature reserve
  • Attend and organise wildlife workshops and events
  • Influence our work
  • Lead nature projects and campaigns in their community

Our Youth Forum members have the opportunity to:

  • Boost their wellbeing
  • Learn more about wildlife
  • Meet new people
  • Develop new skills
  • Help nature in Norfolk
A group photo of our youth forum, posing at Sloughbottom Meadows.

Youth forum group photo (credit: Ali Smith)

For a long time, talking about wildlife and conservation was a theoretical thing. It was all bark, no bite. The Youth Forum feels like an actual way to make a difference. I just love coming in and having a natter. It’s very nice being around like-minded young people.

I feel like I’m part of something. It’s very fulfilling.

In activism, it’s really hard to sustain action without having people to sustain you. I like the feeling the Youth Forum gives me that we are in the real world, doing something real.

It feels really nice to do something locally, especially. A lot of the time you hear about this great worldwide effort to help the climate, and it feels so big. But if we are concentrating on this little patch, this nature reserve in our city, we can actually help this land.
Youth Forum member
Two teen members of the youth forum, a boy and girl, holding up a large twig they are clearing.

Youth Forum Sloughbottom Meadows (credit: Ali Smith)

At Norfolk Wildlife Trust, we believe that nature belongs to everyone. We are committed to creating a welcoming and inclusive environment where all young people feel valued, supported, and empowered to contribute to the future of Norfolk's wildlife.

Building Foundations for the Future is funded thanks to support from National Lottery players and The National Lottery Heritage Fund.

A logo of the National Lottery Heritage Fund