This month marked the completion of the first cohort of the BEYOND project – a journey that has brought young people from schools across Milton Keynes closer to their local environment and the possibilities of green careers.
Running from October 2025 to March 2026, the programme focused on Woughton Community Parish, creating a series of “stepping stones” to help young people build meaningful connections with nature. These experiences were designed to inspire ongoing engagement, whether through positive behaviour change, volunteering, further education, or future careers.
I was delighted to be part of the team, recording a visual summary of the project and running zines workshops to engage young people creatively.
Here’s a look back at the five events that shaped the BEYOND journey. Click the webcomic to experience the ride…
Event 1 – Landscaping Your Parish
We began in October at the Woughton Community Council Hub, welcoming thirty young people for a hands-on introduction to local green spaces. A visit to the Woughton Community Garden sparked conversations about growing food, landscaping, and the tools of the trade.
From team games using leaf blowers and jet washers to meeting professionals working in landscaping, the day blended fun with insight. The Parks Trust also introduced the Youth Rangers Scheme, opening up new opportunities for involvement. The event closed with a shared meal and group reflections.
Event 2: Food and Environment
In December, twenty-seven young people returned to the Hub to explore the relationship between food and the environment. A volunteer from Sustainable MK led discussions on food waste, distribution, and composting.
The session was lively and creative: participants prepared food, powered a smoothie bike, and pressed apples. They also explored environmental storytelling, creating zines that expressed their thoughts on key environmental issues.
Event 3: Environmental Careers Fair
January saw the project expand to a larger audience at the Milton Keynes Academy, where over 240 young people attended an environmental careers fair.
Thirteen local organisations shared their work, offering practical advice and inspiration. Students met scientists from the Open University, created visual interpretations of environmental careers, and interviewed a panel of professionals about their roles. The event also resulted in a short film capturing the day’s energy and insights.
Event 4: Environmental Citizen Science
In February, a smaller group of seventeen young people gathered to explore citizen science and environmental research. They learned about floodplain meadow ecology and took part in designing their own research approaches.
One group developed a survey using the nQuire platform, investigating what encourages young people to spend more time in nature. With support from their peers and teachers, they gathered 160 responses; valuable insights that will be shared with local partners.
Event 5: Celebrating BEYOND
The final event in March took place at the Open University, bringing together twenty-seven participants, ten of whom had attended every session.
The day offered a glimpse into cutting-edge research, including tours of the Living Lab and eXtended Reality Studios. Participants worked with scientific equipment to measure chlorophyll in leaves, and explored topics such as microplastics and microbial life. They also shared findings from their citizen science survey, bringing the journey full circle.
To celebrate their achievements, each young person received a certificate, a slice of BEYOND cake, and a goody bag.
Looking Ahead
The BEYOND project has been a powerful reminder of what happens when young people are given the space, tools, and encouragement to engage with the natural world.
We extend our heartfelt thanks to the incredible young participants, the dedicated partners and volunteers who brought each event to life, and the local education providers who supported this journey. Together, you’ve helped create meaningful pathways for the next generation to connect with their environment and imagine their place within it.
Find out more.
The BEYOND Team
Yoseph Araya, Steve McNay, Shonil Bhagwat, Suze Miller, Richard Holliman, and Tash Darling, featuring Vicky Bowskill on inclusive artwork, and Gerard Giorgi-Coll on filming.
Funding
The BEYOND Project was funded by NERC, The Natural Environment Research Council.
Inklusive Nature CIC 