Emergent Thinkers™

Yesterday, I had the joy of facilitating a wonderfully rich climate conversation that brought together Ysgol yr Hendy’s eco-council pupils and community members drawn from Llanedi, Tycroes and Hendy, as part of the Welsh Government’s Climate Conversation programme. What struck me immediately was the natural optimism and creativity our young participants brought into the room – a powerful reminder that the next generation approaches climate challenges with hope and determination, not just concern.

The warm and welcoming space of Canolfan Gwilli Community Hub buzzed with energy as our eco-council members began designing climate action superheroes – their ideas showcasing not just deep understanding of environmental challenges, but imaginative solutions full of possibility. This youthful optimism proved infectious, shifting the mood of the adult participants who perhaps came in with heavier hearts about climate issues. The children demonstrated that while they take these challenges seriously, they also see opportunities for positive change.

The real magic happened in the intergenerational discussions that followed. One of our community members shared a powerful story about our village grounds, once a cricket pitch, now transformed by changing weather patterns into a persistently waterlogged space. Rather than dwelling on loss, the conversation naturally evolved into exploring how we can adapt – reimagining the space as a thriving wildlife haven that serves a new purpose for our community. The students’ enthusiasm for this adaptation showed how fresh perspectives can help us see opportunity in change.

What truly touched me was watching the natural synergy between our Ysgol y Hendy eco-councillors’ innovative thinking and our community members’ lived experience and wisdom. When discussing local climate impacts, both groups brought unique insights: young people highlighting possibilities for positive change, while older participants provided valuable historical context about how our local environment has evolved.

The transformation in the room was palpable. While the opening emoji exercise revealed varying levels of climate anxiety among adults, the students’ natural optimism and can-do attitude helped shift the entire group toward hope and empowerment. Participants left with not just greater awareness, but concrete ideas for community action – from local food growing initiatives to protecting vulnerable neighbours during extreme weather events.

A heartfelt thank you to everyone who participated. Special appreciation goes to the Ysgol y Hendy KS3 eco-council students who brought such inspiring energy and creativity to the session, and to Mrs Wyatt for accompanying the pupils and supporting their environmental leadership. Thanks also to the community members who shared invaluable perspectives on how our local environment has changed. This was truly a team effort – particular thanks to Mrs Ashley Davies, Rheolwr y Ganolfan Gwili/Swyddog Cymunedol (Yr Hendy) who helped coordinate the team, along with the wonderful staff at the Hub, and to Dr Mike Goodfellow-Smith, a key facilitator of the programme.

This workshop was just the beginning – it’s laid the groundwork for ongoing climate conversations that will help shape a fairer, more resilient future for our communities in Llanedi, Tycroes and Hendy. The energy and optimism shown by our young eco-councillors gives me real hope for what we can achieve together, and reminds us all that the next generation brings not just fresh ideas, but the hope and determination needed to create positive change.

Felicity

[Photo permissions: All images shared were taken with full consent from Ysgol yr Hendy and participating families, following school safeguarding protocols]

Linked post: Inclusive Climate Action: Exploring Llanelli Wetlands with Young Changemakers – Emergent Thinkers™