We need safe, sustainable schools - and we need young people to lead this conversation
The Fund the Future campaign, by Teach the Future, is dedicated to securing increased public funding for the retrofit and rebuilding of school buildings across the UK. Our goal is to make these buildings more sustainable, safe, and climate-friendly, ensuring that young people can learn in environments that are not only fit for purpose today but are also prepared for the challenges of tomorrow. The future of our education system, and of our planet, depends on these changes, and we’re working hard to make them happen.
This October, we’re holding a major Parliamentary reception at the heart of UK democracy. This event will bring together young people, MPs, and key decision-makers to discuss the urgent need for sustainable school buildings and to collaborate on the next steps to bring about real, lasting change. It’s a crucial moment for our campaign, and it’s vital that young people - whose futures are most at stake - are there to speak directly to those in power.
That’s why we’ve set up this Crowdfunder: to support the travel costs of the young people involved in Fund the Future so they can attend this important event in Parliament. By contributing to this fund, you’ll be sponsoring a young changemaker to get to Westminster, where their voices can be heard and their ideas can influence the decisions that shape our education system.
Getting young people to Parliament this October is not just about the event itself; it’s about empowering them to engage with the democratic process and develop the skills they need to advocate for their future. The experience will be invaluable, equipping them with political engagement skills and a deeper understanding of how to effect change through dialogue and collaboration with political bodies. While this is an invaluable moment for the campaign to secure a sustainable future for school buildings, it is also a step toward a more informed, active, and empowered generation of leaders.
Here is what some of the young people involved in the campaign have to say:
"My name is Matilda, and I’m a volunteer at Teach the Future. I’m travelling from Nottingham to attend a parliamentary reception that could be crucial in advancing climate education. As a young activist, I believe this event is a vital opportunity to push for necessary changes in our educational system to better prepare students for the challenges of climate change. The cost of my ticket is £41, and with your support, I can be part of this important conversation."
"My name is Michael, I’m 18, a student in Edinburgh and an activist for climate education. I’ve been a part of Teach the Future for nearly two years now, fighting across the country for an education system that prepares students to face the effects of climate change and teaches them to understand the solutions. Travelling by train is good for the planet, but incredibly expensive. In fact, to get from Edinburgh to Parliament, a return ticket can cost up to an eye-watering £150! With your support, I can take the case from Scotland to Westminster - thank you."
"Hi, I’m Nico, I’ll be travelling down to London from Hull where my tickets cost around £60 each way, and that’s with a railcard! I’ve volunteered and worked with Teach the Future since 2021 and have gained so many skills and made such good friends. So far because of the distance and cost of travel, I’ve struggled to attend in-person events to discuss the work we do, and meet the professionals and young people I’ve worked with or met through Teach the Future. Attending our Parliamentary Reception in October would allow me to convey and emphasise the need for safe, well-maintained schools to influential individuals I would otherwise not be able to meet with. It’ll also be an invaluable opportunity to practise my verbal communication skills which, as an autistic person to whom verbal communication doesn’t come naturally, is something I am working hard to develop."