Humber All Nations Alliance (HANA) is the Youth Social Action project inspiring climate action through food and agriculture. The volunteer and youth led classes promote climate education around farming, teaching black children and young people in and around Hull where their food comes from and best practice when it comes to sustainability.

Thanks to funding from BBC Children in Need, the young people are empowered to be a voice for nature by focusing on the social change they want to see.

For thirteen year old Iseoluwanimi, now is the time to act, she said:

“In the very near future, climate change is going to be a big problem if people like me do not get involved or speak up.”

Iseoluwanimi has long been worried about the climate crisis and how she could make a change from home. Alongside her dad Taiye who volunteers at HANA and sister Imisioluwa, Iseoluwanimi has been involved in the farming and agriculture project at HANA for just under a year, she commented:

“HANA has taught me the environmental impact of what we have on our plates and the importance of local produce. I really enjoy being outside and getting involved with the planting and harvesting of our produce. It has made me feel more comfortable to communicate in a team and share my ideas. The skills I have learnt from HANA have allowed me to think about my own impact and become an Eco-champion at school. I now have the opportunity to educate other students on their own environmental impact and share ideas on how I think the school can be more sustainable.”

Francis, Chief Executive Officer of Humber All Nations Alliance said:

“The children and young people are very passionate about the project. It is so rewarding to see how much pride they have in the garden, especially since they realised that the seeds they planted a few months back, germinated and turned into plants they could fully harvest and prepare for dinner. Recently we ran a pizza making class with all the fresh produce provided from their hard work and here, we take the time to educate the children to make informed decisions at home to reduce their impact on climate change, promoting an attitudinal change they can hopefully take forwards.”

BBC Children in Need’s We Move grant helps HANA build partnerships between public, private sectors, and charity organizations for community development.