Solar developer Ortus Energy is partnering with UK charity The Youth Sport Trust (YST) to deliver a nationwide schools programme that equips young people with the skills, confidence and opportunities to lead change.
The Youth Leadership Project, powered by Ortus Energy, will use the inspiration and expertise of YST’s established Athlete Mentors initiative to empower young leaders to harness the positive power of play and sport to help improve wellbeing, build friendships, and foster better understanding of one another.
Apart from being environmentally educational, it will also support personal development and consider how young people – as well as leading more active and healthier lives – can work together for a more sustainable planet and future.
Five schools across the UK, in Croydon, Matlock, West Bromwich, Carmarthen and Dumfries, are participating in initial co-creation workshops, with 15 more schools to join them for a pilot programme running September to December 2022.
The national roll out will run January to December 2023 for a further 230 schools.
Ortus Energy chief executive Alistair Booth said: “We’re all about powering change – and change for the better. Supporting Youth Sport Trust enables us to demonstrate that commitment.
“The power of sport is important, it builds self-esteem, it encourages healthy competition and, most importantly, respect for one another. These are all core values we hold very dear as well.
“Through this collaboration, we also want to help schools become more energy resilient and invest in more positive outcomes – not only for their young people and future leaders through the inclusive power of sport, but a clean, green energy source that will dramatically reduce both fuel costs and their carbon footprint.
“Together with Youth Sport Trust, we will power a future that is sustainable for the next generation.”
Youth Sport Trust chief executive Ali Oliver said: “We are delighted to be partnering with Ortus Energy. These are extraordinary times for our young people and things have become critical for their health and happiness.
“We live in a world where we are moving less, where digital technology is having an increasing impact on young lives and where children feel lonely and disconnected.
“This exciting partnership with Ortus Energywill enable us, the Youth Sport Trust, to empower communities of young leaders who harness the positive power of play and sport to improve well-being, build friendships and foster understanding for their peers.
“We strive to be a globally responsible charity and through our partnership with Ortus Energy we are also committed to enabling schools across the UK to access solar power, increasing their awareness and positive contribution to our climate change crisis.”