And I would walk 500 miles

Lorraine Langham, chief executive of education charity Future First, tells us that despite her charity being about adults inspiring pupils, she was inspired to walk from parliament to Glasgow by someone who is school-aged

One thing I’ve learnt from running a charity focused on connecting role models with state school pupils is that those who connect with us come in many and varied forms. When we think of role models it’s easy to assume we mean those who inspire, motivate or guide a younger generation to follow in their footsteps – the whole idea of ‘looking up to someone’ tends to paint this sort of picture – and, of course, Future First does exactly that – creating and nurturing alumni networks for state school students so that, whatever their start in life, there need be no limits on their futures.

But the benefit of role models shouldn’t end when we ‘grow up’ – whatever that means! While role models can motivate younger people to strive for a better future, and guide them through the daunting labyrinth of life, young people can also be role models for older generations too.

It was the inspiration of just such a young role model that led me to take a break as chief executive of Future First and march 500 miles from parliament to Glasgow ahead of the meeting of world leaders at COP26.Just as legions of young people have been inspired by the magnificent Greta Thunberg to take action against climate change, so was I. Here was a young person who, in 2018 aged just 15, started her now famous protest outside the Swedish parliament. Alone, she held a sign saying ‘School Strike for Climate’ in an effort to pressurise her government to meet carbon emissions targets.

I’m sure many people on their way to work must have passed her lonely protest and dismissed it with the ‘cynicism of experience’. Yet by the end of that year more than 20,000 students from as far afield as the UK to Japan had joined her by skipping school to protest. Her influence has continued to grow – and, some argue, it might have been greater still if momentum had not been interrupted by the pandemic. We will never know.

Wonderful role model

Of course, as the CEO of an education charity, I’m not saying young people should skip school – but I am highlighting just how much difference one person can make when the rest of us may feel powerless. Greta is also a wonderful role model for neuro diversity, describing the fact that she has Asperger syndrome as ‘a gift’. For her, being different is a ‘superpower’ and she has used this to good effect. 

There are many parallels between the work of Future First and climate activism. The charity is all about social justice, as we recognise that Britain has a deep social mobility problem, and we are working to change that. Far too many young people do not have access to the relatable role models they need to help them understand what they can become or do, nor the networks, knowledge and tools to help them to get there.

The cause of climate justice is the same. While the developed world prospers, other countries are sinking into the sea, or going up in flames. It is social justice on a global scale – and I believe we have a moral duty to act, both here in the UK and for our neighbours in the global South.

It was my belief that climate justice is social justice, and the inspiration of Greta as a young role model, that led me to undertake the ‘Camino to COP26’ walk to Glasgow. Organised by XRUK Faith Bridge, the walk brought together people of all faiths and none on a pilgrimage to COP, starting from Bristol, Liverpool, the South East and London.

The purpose was to build alliances and engage communities along the route and to spread the word about the urgent need to act against climate change. It was an opportunity for peaceful connection and outreach which expressly spurned any physical disruption or civil disobedience.

Growing as a person

The whole experience has undoubtedly helped me grow as a person. I met people I would never otherwise have met – community and faith leaders, young and old – and glimpsed into their lives, from hamlets and rural communities to the cities of London, Birmingham, and Manchester. 

I was lucky enough to see Greta speak when we arrived in Glasgow. She was holding a press conference in the woods surrounded by hundreds of people – many, of course, from the media. There she was, standing on a suitcase and speaking through a bullhorn, continuing to captivate and inspire a world that has taken her to its heart. If anyone needs proof of the impact a role model can have, Greta certainly provides it.

At a time when the challenges we face feel ever more daunting, and it is easy to feel we can’t bring about the change needed – both for ourselves and the world around us – we need as many Gretas as possible to show us that positive change is always within our grasp.