The Eden Project is the Commissioner's final stop on her England-wide roadshow that hopes to encourage at least 1 million children to fill out the survey launched last year, enabling politician to listen directly to children's voices when they make decisions about their lives.
Hosting Dame Rachel and Year 4 pupils from Sky Primary School gave them a chance to meet and discuss important topics including community, jobs, nature and wellbeing during an inspiring morning including a green jobs tour.
Showcasing green jobs hopes to broaden understanding of the diverse employment opportunities linked to horticulture and green industries and career paths at a time when the number of children and young people not in education, employment or training has risen, and many are concerned about future employment prospects.
Across the outdoor landscape, Rainforest Biome and Biome Kitchen, children tried hands-on tasters in horticulture, nature connected wellbeing, digital storytelling and healthy cooking with Eden's own experts, opening children's eyes to green careers they may never have considered.
Pupils spoke with Dame Rachel about what they love about growing up in Cornwall, what worries them and what they would like to see change. They then voted on the issues that matter most to them in a closing game hosted by Eden's CEO Andy Jasper.
Children's Commissioner Dame Rachel de Souza said: “It’s been a real privilege to end The Big Future tour here in Cornwall at the Eden Project, hearing directly from local children about what they love about where they live, their hopes for the future and what they want to change to make childhood better.
“The children had brilliant ideas for their communities, and it was clear how much they value places like the Eden Project, where they can get hands-on, learn about the world around them and be inspired by new possibilities.”
Andy Jasper, Eden Project CEO, said: "It was such a joy to welcome Dame Rachel and the pupils from Sky Primary School back to Eden to take part in The Big Future survey. Hearing what matters to these children, from nature and wellbeing to the jobs they dream of, was a powerful reminder that their voices must be heard by those making decisions about the future.”
“I just love that the charity Eden Project helps to inspire young minds to see the positive impact that being nature connected and pursuing a green career can have. Horticulture is fundamental to our future and becoming more nature connected will help us shape a brighter future for everyone!”
Sam Kendall, Head of Education at the Eden Project Cornwall, said: “Today we were able to give pupils insight into a few jobs linked to green skills. Whether it’s growing plants, telling stories about the natural world or cooking healthy food, these are real jobs with real futures we're demonstrating here in Cornwall. Getting outdoors and hands-on in nature also does wonders for wellbeing, and we hope today sparked ideas and ambitions that stay with the children inspiring them for years to come.”
The visit comes as the Eden Project celebrates its 25th anniversary where, for a quarter of a century, the education charity has welcomed over one million children to take part in nature-based learning to create meaningful connections with the natural world.
For the first time, hundreds of thousands of children will be eligible to vote in the next general election at age 16. The Big Future aims to hear the views of a million children and is open until October half term, closing on Friday 23 October.
The survey takes about 5 minutes to complete. You can find out all about The Big Future survey by visiting www.childrenscommissioner.gov.uk/.
