Become a Youth Environmental Ambassador!

With the support of National Lottery funding, we’re recruiting a group of 5 creative, motivated young people (18-25) to work with us over a 9 month period on initiatives that explore the relationship between mental health and tackling climate change.

Over the course of the programme, participants will collaborate with artists; learn from environmental practitioners; and build relationships with community partners to provide shape and direction for Stanley Arts’ creative and community projects in response to the climate and nature emergency.

Through tailored learning and engagement programmes, you will:

Gain greater understanding of the climate crisis and its social impact from experts in their field
Be part of a local peer support network that we hope will last well beyond the project
Learn how everyday climate action can benefit mental health
Take part in local climate and nature-based activities that help restore nature and reduce carbon emissions in London
Gain an increased sense of hope and belonging within the local community

Rate of Pay:

£22.20 per 1.5 hr group meeting session attended, plus travel costs. Refreshments will be provided.

About the Project

You will be part of a bigger three year city-wide project (‘London Mental Health and Climate Coalition’) that includes 10 other London-based partners, that connects climate action with mental wellbeing. Activities will be varied, ranging from community ambassador training and creative festivals to youth-led campaigns and the development of new digital tools.

Recent polling from London Councils shows 84% of residents are concerned about climate change. Yet, 90% are motivated to help tackle it, which highlights ‘a fantastic opportunity to bring Londoners together’ according to Thrive LDN, a public mental health partnership, the lead partner. The project will support ways to bring new voices from different communities, especially those experiencing poverty, discrimination, and disadvantage, into conversations about climate change and mental health.

We are a bold and collaborative coalition working to create a healthier, fairer, and climateresilient London. By integrating mental health and climate action, the project addresses two of the most pressing challenges of our time through systemic change and community-led solutions. Our work ensures that climate action improves mental wellbeing and equity, creating lasting benefits for people and planet.

About Stanley Arts

Stanley Arts is one of South London’s premiere arts and performance venues, providing our local community with a vital home for cultural expression and discovery. The storied history of our Grade II Listed Edwardian Building is one of community recognition; social action and artistic celebration.

Committed to the inclusion of a diverse range of creative voices, Stanley Arts has partnered with Culture Declares Emergency to become a south London champion for climate action in the arts sector. We strive to embed sustainable messaging in our programming and our processes.

What Will We Do?

As an Environmental Ambassador for Stanley Arts, you will sit on a Youth Advisory Board that will work with the Learning & Engagement Manager, the Arcadia Producer and the wider team at Stanley Arts to inform a creative and community action plan centred around environmental action. As a Youth Ambassador you will–

Attend monthly paid sessions at Stanley Arts, consisting of developmental workshops, planning meetings, and creative activities.
Participate in curated training sessions on climate change, climate justice, and environmental responsibility.
Take part in Climate Cafes – regular community conversations with leading climate psychology professionals.
Engage with artists, producers and partners to bring your ideas into shaping the Arcadia Festival 2026, a festival showcasing artistic and youth-led responses to the climate and nature crisis.
Design a public outdoor intervention that connects our audiences with the mental health benefits of green space and involves environmental action.
Share your ideas and feedback to Stanley Arts’ senior management team and departments to shape the organisation’s environmental strategy.
Co-create a toolkit for environmental action in the arts.
Write blogs for sharing on Stanley Arts’ social media and website about your learning journey and experience.
Design and deliver one ‘Action Response’ over the period with a small budget.

Person Profile

We’re looking for young people aged 18 – 25 who are local to Stanley Arts (the borough of Croydon or neighbouring boroughs) and interested in learning about climate change and discovering ways to engage communities in action. No extensive knowledge on climate change or experience in climate action is required. Equally, we welcome people who have had experience and can bring their knowledge and passion to the group.

We are looking to engage a diverse group of young people who are representative of the demographic of Croydon. We particularly encourage applications from black, asian, mixed heritage and minority ethnic backgrounds, those from lower economic backgrounds, and those who may have less engagement in the arts.

We expect at the end of the project you will have developed your skills as young artists, producers, activists, and community builders, skilled and knowledgeable on climate justice, mental health and cultural production, so you can go on to initiate and support similar projects beyond this as well as be local advocates for climate and nature action in the borough of Croydon.

You must be able to commit to the 9 monthly meetings, be pro-active, creative, and a good team player!