Young adulthood is a key transition into further education, training and employment. For many young people, particularly those facing disadvantage or non-linear educational and employment journeys, traditional approaches do not offer the flexibility, support or opportunities they need to thrive. Across Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland, community partners have identified the need for more inclusive education and training pathways, better transitions into employment, and opportunities that reflect young people's aspirations.
Evidence suggests that nature-based activities, including horticulture, conservation, environmental education and citizen science, can improve wellbeing, confidence, social connectedness, environmental stewardship and employability-related skills. Previous research by members of the team has shown the wellbeing benefits of these approaches in socio-economically disadvantaged communities, and the importance of equitable access to green spaces. Despite growing interest in green social prescribing and green skills, little is known about how community-based nature interventions can support employability among young adults, or how these benefits come about.
This PhD project will work with young people, community organisations, education providers and environmental partners across Leicestershire to co-design and evaluate nature-based approaches that support wellbeing, environmental stewardship and pathways into education, training and employment. The research has three phases. First, a systematic review (a structured search and summary of existing research)will bring together the evidence on nature-based interventions and employability among young adults. Second, young people, university students and community stakeholders will use participatory and co-design approaches to design locally relevant interventions that reflect their priorities and aspirations.
Finally, the project will pilot and evaluate nature-based activities in community settings across Leicestershire, exploring how they influence wellbeing, confidence, employability and progression into education, training or work. The project will generate an evidence-informed, transferable framework for using community greenspaces and local environmental assets to improve opportunities for young people.
This project has been co-created with and is supported by researchers from the University of Leicester and 冈本视频, and partners at Willow Fields Farm CIC and Loughborough College. The successful candidate for this project will be enrolled at the University of Leicester.
Project Aims
- To examine the evidence on how nature-based interventions can support young adults' wellbeing, employability and environmental engagement.
- To co-design inclusive and locally relevant nature-based employability approaches with young people and community partners.
- To evaluate how nature-based interventions influence wellbeing, confidence, employability and progression into education, training or employment, and explore how these outcomes are achieved.
- To develop a transferable framework for using community green spaces and local environmental assets to support young people's pathways into sustainable employment and the green economy.
Full Supervisory Team
- Lead Academic Supervisor: Moya Burns (University of Leicester)
- Academic Co-Supervisor: Mohamed El Agroudy (冈本视频)
- Community Supervisor: Ceri Jones (Willow Fields Farm CIC)
- Community Supervisor: Alex Gray (Loughborough College Group)
Estimated thesis submission: