Green Skills in the Hills is your chance to get outdoors, learn real-world skills, and boost your future this summer.
Run by Yorkshire Wildlife Trust and amazing partners from the green youth sector, the programme is packed with hands-on activities designed to help young people build confidence, gain experience, and stand out in job, college, and university applications.
Whether you’re into nature, looking to try something new, or just want a fun way to spend time outdoors — there’s something for everyone. You don’t need to want a career in the environment to get involved.
By taking part, you can:
- Learn practical outdoor and employability skills
- Meet new people and make connections
- Build confidence and experience
- Have fun outside this summer
- Earn a Wild Youth Award certificate
Attend just 3 sessions and you’ll achieve a Bronze Wild Youth Award — a great addition to your CV, applications, or future career plans.
Come along with curiosity, try new things, and level up your skills while having a good time outdoors.
Who is it for?
You must be between the ages of 16 and 25 when you attend the first session. No experience necessary, just some curiosity.
Where are the sessions?
Most sessions will be at Stirley, near Castle Hill. You can get here by public transport with a short walk or we have a car park if you can get a lift or drive yourself. We are looking to locate the last few sessions – digital skills and careers sessions in a Huddersfield town centre venue.
How do I get there?
Bus: Bus 354 from Huddersfield to South Crosland stops at the junction of Hall Bower and Ladyhouse Lane OR Bus 341 from Huddersfield to Stocksmoor stops on Ashes Lane at the top of Cold Hill Lane.
Train: A 20-minute walk from both Berry Brow and Honley railway stations.
Car: If using a device to navigate to Stirley, we recommend that you avoid setting directions to ‘Stirley’ as this route may take you down a narrow track which is unsuitable for vehicles
We advise driving to ‘Hall Bower Lane’ or postcode ‘HD4 6RW’. The turning for Stirley is located on the bend between Lady House Lane and Hall Bower Lane.
- From Huddersfield take the A616 then turn left onto Bridge St, next turn left onto Lockwood Scar. Take a slight left onto Church Lane, continue onto Jackroyd Lane. Follow this up the hill, where it becomes High Lane and then take first right onto Hall Bower Lane (if you reach a T-junction at the top of the hill, you've gone too far). Follow the road through the housing and as the road drops down*, turn left on a sharp bend onto a tarmac drive. Follow the track along till you reach a crossroads and drive straight across to our car park.
*Please ensure you take the new entrance track at the junction between Lady House Lane and Hall Bower Lane rather than Ashes Lane, as this is often entrance is locked and not suitable for traffic.
Who will I be working with?
Our Wilder Communities Officer for Youth, Victoria, will be running the sessions alongside other staff from Yorkshire Wildlife Trust and partner organisations. There will always be a friendly face to greet you each morning and you can reach out to Victoria with any questions before or during the programme.
What sessions are available?
We have 13 sessions to choose from, sign up for the whole course or pick and choose sessions that you like the sound of.
July sessions
Wednesday 1st July (10:30 am to 3:30 pm) - Green woodworking with the Coppice Collective. Make something cool with wood.
Wednesday 8th July (10:30 am to 3:30 pm) - Learn about plants on our waterways. Join a trip to a local river.
Wednesday 15th July (10:30 am to 3:30 pm) - Willow weaving with Eden’s Forest. Learn how to make a willow plant climber.
Wednesday 22nd (July 10:30 am to 3:30 pm) - The wonderful world of meadows. How to manage grassland for wildflowers.
Wednesday 29th (July 10:30 am to 3:30 pm) - Exploring rivers with River Holme Connections. Join a trip to a local river.
August sessions
Wednesday 5th August (10:30 am to 3:30 pm) - The wonderful world of woodlands. Find out how to look after trees in woodlands and hedgerows.
Wednesday 12th August (10:30 am to 3:30 pm) - Gardening for food and wildlife. Learn how to look after flowers, vegetable plants and fruit plants.
Wednesday 19th August (10:30 am to 3:30 pm) - Cooking straight from the garden. Pick some food, cook some food, eat some food!
Thursday 20th August (10:30 am to 3:30 pm) - Session 1 on digital documenting and podcasting. Digital skills with Youth Social.
Wednesday 26th August (10:30 am to 3:30 pm) - Cows, sheep and how they help wildlife. Join our conservation grazing team for hands-on experience.
Thursday 27th August (10:30 am to 3:30 pm) - Session 2 on digital documenting and podcasting. Digital skills with Youth Social.
September sessions
Thursday 17th September (5:30 pm to 7:30 pm) - Session 1 Careers. Finding a job and making your CV shine.
Thursday 24th September (5:30 pm to 7:30 pm) - Session 2 Careers. Applications and interviews for your dream green job.
What will we get for lunch?
At the start of each session, you will have a chance to choose your lunch and quickly pull it together yourself. Baguettes will be provided along with a choice of fillings so that you can make your favourite lunch. Don’t worry, we will have a variety of snacks from crisps, fruit & biscuits to keep you going through the day. If you have any food allergies, dietary requirements or preferences we will see this on your booking form and email you about how we can accommodate you.
How do I get my bus/train fayre reimbursed?
If you purchase your ticket and bring it with you — either as a printed copy or displayed on your phone — we can take a photo of it and reimburse you on the day of each session, so you won’t be out of pocket for long.
What do I need to wear or bring with me?
Please wear sturdy footwear that you don’t mind getting muddy. Crocs, sliders, thin pumps, plimsoles, Converse, or Vans are not suitable. Sturdy trainers, walking boots, or work boots are recommended. If you need to borrow footwear, please let us know on the booking form and include your shoe size.
Clothing should be appropriate for the weather. For some sessions, arms and legs will need to be covered, especially if we’ll be walking through long grass or working near brambles or nettles. We’ll confirm this when your booking is confirmed.
Please bring:
- A refillable water bottle (larger bottles are recommended on hot days)
- Snacks (if you’d like – we will also have plenty to hand)
- A rucksack style bag to carry everything in.
