Over 600 primary and secondary schools from across the UK, have registered to join a new values based social and environmental action programme launching today on World Values Day!
We invite schools across the UK to join the programme.
About the programme:
The Dirt Is Good Schools Programme has been created in partnership with Global Action Plan and Persil, with the programme in the UK delivered by Future Foundations.
Together, we are on a mission to power up the world’s Changemakers and enable young people to take action on the environmental and social causes they care about.
Research based:
Research commissioned by the Persil Dirt Is Good Project explored young people’s values and how they perceive the values of others. Almost all the young people surveyed as part of the study said that caring for nature and other people is important to them but that they don’t think others share their compassionate values. Fears about not fitting in and being labelled with unhelpful stereotypes prevent them from expressing their true values to their peers.
Of the young people surveyed, only 14% prioritised self-interest values over compassionate values of caring for people and planet. However, perceptions of what others prioritise was quite different. By age 16-18, almost half (48%) thought that other young people like them would prioritise self-interest values instead. The misperception that most others don’t care, when they actually do, is known as the values-perception gap. This study is the first to show that the values perception gap exists in children and young people. It found that young people are affected by the values-perception gap in the following ways:
- They have lower emotional well-being
- They feel more worried about the future
- They are less likely to act on the issues they care about
Piloted with schools in England and Wales:
The Persil Dirt Is Good Project has been developed drawing on this research to help young people to believe that taking action on social and environmental issues is not the niche but the norm.
Future Foundations piloted the schools programme with schools in England and Wales in Summer term 2021. There were a wide range of social and environmental issues tackled by young people during the pilot, including one group of young people who discussed the values that are important to them and individually researched the different issues that they feel are important. Each member then presented their project plan ‘Dragons Den’ style to the rest of the group and from this they agreed upon a 3 part project!
- Research into Eco-friendly Sanitary Products – One Changemaker contacted several companies to find out more about their products and received free samples in return! The group then held an assembly for Year 6 students to educate them about the Red Box in their school and sustainable period products.
- Plan a Litter Pick at a Local Lake – After doing research into the effect of plastic pollution on wildlife, the group made plans for a lake clean up day in September and contacted their Local MP for support!
- Research into the Global Issue of Lack of Clean Water and Sanitation in Developing Countries – After finding out more about the issues in developing countries, the group decided to include this in their Year 6 Assembly and hope to twin one of their toilets with one in a developing country.
We are excited to launch and invite schools to join:
Karen Lewis, Marketing Manager for Persil, Unilever, says:
“All young people should feel supported and empowered to roll up their sleeves and take action on what matters to them. That is why we set up the Persil Dirt Is Good Project, to empower young people with the challenges, tools and ideas to take action and help create a better world. I am excited to launch the schools programme today and cannot wait to see what issues the young people choose to tackle and take action on.”
Lucy Archer, Global Action Plan, says:
“We have designed the programme to help your young people feel that they have a role to play in making the changes they want to see in this world happen, no matter who they are. Through uniting with others on the issues they care about, young people will journey together, discovering that more people care than perhaps they first thought and through the process they will become Changemakers for life”.
Jonathan Harper FRSA, CEO at Future Foundations, says:
“We recognise the urgent need for innovative programmes for young people. At Future Foundations, our mission is to inspire young people to achieve their full potential and become leaders in their lives and society. Our vision and values align with this programme, and we are delighted to be able to launch this fully-funded programme on World Values Day.”
Future Foundations is launching the Dirt Is Good Schools Programme in the UK on 21st October 2021, and invites all primary and secondary schools to join the programme.
About us:
About Persil
Persil believes taking action, alongside others, has a positive impact on young people’s wellbeing, their communities, and the planet. Our global project will help young people see they are not alone in caring about environmental and social issues. By uniting in compassion, everyone can have a role to play in taking action. We want to support young people to unleash their long-term potential to do good.
About Global Action Plan
Global Action Plan is a charity that’s working for a green and thriving planet where people enjoy their lives within the Earth’s resources. We’re experts in helping people live more sustainable lifestyles. We do this by making connections between what’s good for people and good for the planet.
About Future Foundations
Future Foundations is an independent training organisation that aims to inspire young people to achieve their full potential and become leaders within their lives and in society. Our vision is a world where all organisations are led by socially conscious people, with every young person making the transition into adulthood with the foundations they need for their future. Future Foundations are the UK delivery partner for the Dirt Is Good Schools Programme.