Over 200 attend Another Way's festival on environmental change

Organised by Another Way, the event, held at the Rheged Discovery Centre near Penrith and supported by the PLACE partnership funded by Westmorland and Furness Council, welcomed pupils and teachers for a day filled with environmental workshops and speeches.

The festival saw the launch of Another Way’s Power of 10 movement which seeks to equip young environment changemakers with all the skills and inspiration they need to make a difference in their communities and highlight opportunities in the green sector.

Workshops throughout the day covered topics such as eco-anxiety, creative writing, climate solutions games, art, science communications and running successful creative campaigns.  

Amy Bray, the 19-year-old founder of Another Way, said: "My aim is to create the largest community of young people making change for the climate.

"Our festival and our Power of 10 movement was created to enable young people from across Cumbria and the country to celebrate and elevate their thoughts and voices in relation to environmental issues,” she said. 

Another Way Power of 10 Festival at Rheged Penrith 2024. (Image: Helen Holland)

“If one person shares a message with ten people and those ten people share it with a further ten it would just take ten days for that message to spread around the world. Change starts with just one person. That is our plan for Power of 10." 

Among the significant speakers and workshop leaders at the festival were Tim Farron MP, Matt Staniek, the founder of Save Windermere, poet and climate activist Matt Sowerby, and Dr Ben Martynoga, a neuroscientist and science writer.

Queen Elizabeth Grammar School Penrith pupils at Another Way (Image: Helen Holland)

Matt Sowerby, after delivering a workshop focused on the importance of language in conserving the planet, praised the event: "The festival was a triumph!

"It was really wonderful to see Amy inspiring them all over again and kickstarting climate action in Cumbria."

The organisations present included RSPB, Cumbria Wildlife Trust, CDEC, and more.

Jamie Normington, head of education and volunteering at Cumbria Wildlife Trust, admired the event, saying: "It was thrilling to see such effective mobilisation and so many young people gathered, motivated and united."

Matt Sowerby leads a workshop on climate change (Image: Helen Holland)

One student attendee said: "Today has been so good.

"So many activities and so many ways I have learned to help protect the environment.

"Thank you, Power, of 10 you are amazing people, and we will never stop supporting to stop climate change."