Young Roots
Sheffield Black and Ethnic Minority Environmental Network (SHEBEEN) is a charity that promotes greater social inclusion by connecting the area’s wide range of ethnic communities with the natural environment. For this project they worked in partnership with Sheffield Wildlife Trust, Heeley City Farm and the National Trust. The SHEBEEN website delves into greater detail about their work.
SHEBEEN worked with groups of young people to build their understanding of the natural heritage of Sheffield and the surrounding area. The groups chose the activities they would like to do. The young people aged 10-18 years lived in the inner-city. They were from different ethnic backgrounds, and included refugees attending Sheffield City College.
The groups visited numerous sites, including Sheffield Botanical Gardens, the Yorkshire Sculpture Park, Heeley City Farm and the Moorland Discovery Centre in the Peak District National Park. They took part in pond dipping, guided historical walks, and cycling to nature spots. Some visits also involved other generations, including parents and a group of older photography enthusiasts. The young people were taught how to use cameras, and recorded the different environments with digital photography.
They then created an exhibition to showcase their work, and share the natural heritage of South Yorkshire with a broader audience.