Projects
The Big Ask: March 2026
On 18th March, the Green United Youth Board welcomed the Lewes community to the Town Hall for our third Big Ask, and it truly was a fantastic evening. We were honoured to have the evening officially opened by Mayor Emily Clarke. With over 70 adults and children joining us, the room was full of energy,…
Wildlife Hedge Planting: February 2026
On Sunday 8 February, Green United’s Youth Board planted 775 native hedge whips along Ham Lane, next to Priory School, Lewes, completing the 225-metre wildlife hedge in just two hours. Youth Board members were joined by parents, carers and siblings, showcasing a fantastic example of community spirit in action. One Youth Board member said it…
Sponsored Bike Ride: July 2025
Young people from Lewes schools successfully completed the Green United annual 9-mile sponsored bike ride on Sunday, 20 July, raising £725 for Love Our Ouse — a local group dedicated to reconnecting people with the River Ouse, from stream to sea. The ride, organised in collaboration with Cycle Lewes and Dr Bike Lewes, will support…
Clean Air Walking Map: June 2025
As summer approaches and air pollution levels are set to rise with warmer, stiller days, young people in Lewes have taken action to protect their health and the environment. The Green United Youth Board has launched ‘Dodge the Smog’, a hand-drawn walking map highlighting cleaner-air routes to the town’s six schools. The map is the…
Children’s Clothes Swap: March 2025
After raising concerns about the fashion industry’s environmental footprint, the Green United Youth Board decided to take action! In 2024, they launched an inter-school clothes swap, which proved to be a resounding success. Now, in 2025, the initiative has returned, bigger and better than ever. On Saturday, 15th March 2025, 79 young people from Lewes…
Schools Conference: February 2025
Here you’ll find the report, a short video, anonymous responses to hopes and concerns, and the materials from the Schools Environmental Conference, held on 12 February 2025 at the University of Sussex.
Refillable Cups: November 2024
This initiative by former board member Ophelia was taken up by treasurer Fred Hoad and Lewes District and Town Councils last year and was adopted by even more pubs this year, as well as Lewes Football Club. It is a fantastic example of a young person’s idea being taken up by the community—exactly what Green…
Sponsored Bike Ride: July 2024
Young people from Lewes schools have raised £718 for Surfers Against Sewage in their third annual sponsored bike ride from Lewes to Iford and back. The event was supported by Cycle Lewes, Egrets Way, and East Sussex County Council Highways, with a free stopover at Iford Community Hall. Participants benefited from bike safety checks provided…
Sponsored Bike Ride: July 2023
On 16 July, young people from schools across Lewes came together for a sponsored cycle ride to celebrate sustainability, collaboration and community action. Setting off from the Linklater Pavilion, riders travelled to Iford and back, raising £250 for Dr Bike — a local initiative that promotes cycling in Lewes by helping people maintain and repair…
Influencing Curriculum: July 2023
Recognising that environmentally friendly living and climate change were not receiving enough attention in the school curriculum, Green United partnered with researchers from the University of Sussex to explore the issue. In July 2022, Dr Michael Jonik, Dr Perpetua Kirby, Dr John Parry and Dr Rebecca Webb worked with teachers and pupils from Southover Primary…
The Big Ask: April 2023
On Thursday, 27th April 2023, from 4:30–6:00 pm, Green United held their second Big Ask at Lewes Town Hall. Members reviewed ongoing and completed projects before presenting nine new ideas and proposals for the coming months. The meeting was attended by 70 people, and many offers of support—in time, talent, or treasure—are now being followed up.…
Lamp Post Banners: March 2023
Mountfield Road in Lewes now features two new lamppost banners, thanks to the initiative of Southover Primary Year 6 student, Juliette. The banners were the result of a Green United Youth Board competition designed to encourage safer road use during busy times and promote more active travel. Juliette, who launched the competition, explained her inspiration:…
Sponsored Bike Ride: July 2022
One of the priorities identified by young people across Lewes was the need for greater collaboration between schools on environmental action. From this idea grew the Schools Sponsored Bike Ride — an inspiring example of students working together to make a difference. In 2022, 30 young people representing six schools completed a sponsored off-road cycle…
Green on the Screen: June 2022
On Sunday, 26 June 2022, Green United participants celebrated the premiere of a new series of short films created to raise awareness of urgent environmental issues and to inspire us all to “change the way we do things.” Made in collaboration with The Depot, the films showcase the creativity, passion and determination of local young…
The Big Ask: May 2022
On 5 May, over 100 young people and community members came together online for the Big Ask event — a powerful evening of ideas, collaboration and commitment to environmental action. During the event, young people presented their priorities for change and clearly outlined their “asks” to the wider community. These included practical projects and initiatives…
Film Premiere at the Depot: October 2021
In recent years, children and young people — both nationally and globally — have made their concerns about the urgency of climate change impossible to ignore. In Lewes, schools have responded in a coordinated and meaningful way, taking these calls for action seriously. Green United was established to support student-led environmental action at a local…
Environmental Film Making: October 2021
Young people across Lewes identified several urgent environmental issues affecting our planet and wildlife. Their concerns included: Determined to turn concern into action, students from Western Road, Kings Academy Ringmer, Southover, Priory, Lewes Old Grammar School and South Malling Primary School came together during September and October to collaborate on a creative response. Working as…
Planet Party Event: September 2021
Members of the Green United Youth Board did a fantastic job engaging with the public at a major environmental community event on 19 September 2021, held at the Railway Land and Linklater Pavilion. Representing all Lewes schools, the Youth Board meets monthly and plays a central role in shaping Green United’s work and priorities. Amplifying…
Road Closure Outside Southover School: March 2021
On 12 February 2020, young people and adults gathered at Priory School to discuss environmental action across Lewes schools. Among the ideas raised was a simple but powerful proposal: temporarily closing selected feeder roads during school drop-off and pick-up times. The aim was to ease congestion, improve safety, and enhance air quality around school gates.…
Launch of Green United: February 2021
A Zoom meeting on 10th February 2021 attracted 67 young people, supported by teachers and parents, to discuss their ideas for environmental action. It was a triumph that this meeting went ahead despite many obstacles resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. Young people organised their ideas for their Big Ask to the Lewes community in terms of…