Meet our grantees: Handsworth Association of Schools

Handsworth Association of Schools (HAOS) is a charity working with children, young people and families alongside 23 schools in north Birmingham. Its priorities are:

• Helping young people develop as citizens through social action.
• Enabling schools to provide enriching activities for children.
• Supporting children in families experiencing poverty.

HAOS works in an area of Birmingham where many families experience severe deprivation. Children and young people the charity supports have huge aspirations. Its projects aim to inspire them to believe in themselves and their ability to make a difference in their families and communities.  

In 2021, HAOS launched an initiative to empower children aged nine to 13 to become Green Influencers, championing carbon reduction in school and at home. Supported by a Green Mentor, they learn about climate issues and design carbon reduction projects.  

The Foundation awarded £40,000 to HAOS to run the Green Influencers project for two years. During this time, it will work with 700-800 children and young people through activities in schools, trips, holiday workshops and an existing young people’s parliament.  

As part of this, the Carbon Reduction Project will be delivered by HAOS’ Green Mentor over 12 sessions with groups in local schools. These practical workshops include planting trees and plants while learning about their carbon footprint.  

The programme builds on young people’s interest in climate and the environment, helping them take practical steps to improve their carbon footprint. Children agree proposals with their school while their Green Mentor helps them get any resources or assistance they need to fulfil them. 

Each group will share their learning and action with wider audiences in school and at a celebration event. Some groups will have an opportunity to present their work or learning at conferences.  

Activities in the programme’s first six months have included: 

Summer of Something

This holiday programme reached 400 children over three weeks. It included:

• five food-themed carbon reduction workshops
• three visits to an exhibition exploring humanity’s impact on the planet
• two training events on how to lead workshops on healthy low carbon lifestyles. 

Core schools programme

HAOS offers schools the chance to be part of a range of green initiatives on themes including carbon reduction, solar energy and bonding with nature. One school group is making a film about their work. 

Experiential learning visits

So far, 13 students have taken part in trips to expand their understanding of nature and the climate. This included a visit to Herefordshire woodland and a discussion with a climate scientist.  

Teacher training and resources

HAOS distributed resource packs to local schools and conducted training sessions on carbon literacy teaching.  

Young green influencers shared these reflections on the impact the project has had on their lives:  

Amena:  

“[The Green Influencer] youth social action has changed my life because I now eat less meat and I also plant more flowers. My friends also join me because they care for animals and they love the planet.  

“My experience as a green influencer has also changed my parents’ lives because now we have a car that runs on electric energy not gas. We use less energy, and when I taught adults about CO₂ I felt smart, and teaching my peers made me happy. I made people more aware.” 

Sarah: 

“Becoming a Green Influencer has shaped the way I see the problems of the environment and what I do to change.  

“I have become more mindful of how I use water and gas, as well as turning off switches. I have refrained from shopping online to reduce plastic packaging and the CO₂ that goes to posting it too.  

“Reusable bags are in my purse every time I go to get groceries, not just to save money.”