Tiverton’s SASSY youth take climate action seriously

A group of passionate young people are making waves in the fight for a sustainable future. Under the banner of SASSY—Serious About Sustainable Society Led by Youth—these advocates are not only challenging the status quo but also bridging generational divides in their hometown of Tiverton.

Sally Chapman is a key figure in Tiverton’s Sustainable Movement. She laid out the stark reality with a sense of urgency that was impossible to ignore.

“2024 was recently declared the hottest year on record,” she began. “And it’s not the first time we’ve heard that. 2023, 2022, 2021, and 2020 were the hottest years too. That clearly demonstrates that we are in an escalating climate crisis. The planet is warming, and we see the impacts in our community—just look at the rain we’ve had when Storm Bert hit.”

Sally highlighted that although Tiverton Town Council declared a climate emergency back in 2019, the pace of change has been frustratingly slow. “We need rapid and radical transformation and, most importantly, political will to make those necessary changes.”

She spoke with heartfelt concern for the next generation. “For the first time in generations, young people will be worse off than we were. That’s a tough reality to face.”

Her words offered a poignant prelude to why Sustainable Tiverton decided to engage youth more directly. With funding from Transition Together through the Devon Community Foundation, they brought on a youth development worker for six months to lay the groundwork for SASSY.

Indy McIndoe, one of the vibrant voices of SASSY, shared the group’s origins and goals. Before delving into the specifics, Indy framed the discussion with a powerful declaration from the UK Youth Climate Coalition: “For too long, 18 to 35-year-olds have been ignored. Our generation is constantly blamed for being lazy and politically apathetic, while politicians fail to include us in decisions that shape our future. We demand systemic change. The best place to start is with public money.”

The words mirrored the ethos of SASSY, a group formed by young people through Sustainable Tiverton’s youth project. As Indy explained: “We’re not just trying to represent youth needs; we’re trying to bridge the generational gap in Tiverton, especially on political issues like climate change.”

The first phase of SASSY’s work focused on understanding the landscape. Sally described their “mapping exercise” as one of the group’s major activities.

“We found that there’s a real dearth of projects for the 18 to 30 age group in Tiverton. We partnered with organisations like Blundell’s School, Space Youth Club, and the Job Centre to host events and discussions, but the general consensus was clear: there’s very little available to help young people develop their own sustainability ideas.”

Armed with a small grant from Neighbourly and Lidl, SASSY moved swiftly from research to action. Their events were as creative as they were impactful, aiming to inspire and involve young people at every turn.

“All the events we organised came from the voices of young people,” Indy said. “One standout was a sustainable cocktail-making night with a professional mixologist. It wasn’t just about fun—it was about getting people out, hearing their voices, and tying their experiences to politics and sustainability.”

Other initiatives ranged from practical to profound. From teaching children to press apples at Heathcoat Primary School’s Apple Day to a litter-pick walk with residents of the Amber Foundation, SASSY embraced community collaboration. Indy reflected on their walk with young people from various backgrounds—many dealing with significant challenges such as homelessness or mental health struggles.

“Unfortunately, some of the feedback we received during that walk was negative,” Indy said. “Young people feel unwelcome in public spaces and disconnected from older generations. That’s heartbreaking because, at the end of the day, we all want the same things: a nice place to live, green spaces, and opportunities to do what we love.”

Beyond events, SASSY focused on giving young people a platform to share their thoughts. They recorded interviews at every event, capturing candid insights about how youth feel about their representation in the media and community. These recordings have gained traction, with BBC Devon inviting the group to edit and present them on a regular show.

“This is an amazing opportunity,” Indy said. “We’re not just amplifying our voices—we’re starting a broader conversation that bridges generations.”

As their initial funding cycle comes to an end, SASSY faces the challenge of sustaining momentum. They’re brimming with ideas—from planting wildflowers and trees to engaging underrepresented groups like young carers—but they need support.

“We’ve created this amazing momentum, but to keep it going, we need more funding,” Indy said passionately. “Young people are ready to do more; we want to make Tiverton a greener, better place. But we need the community’s help to spread the word and support us.”

SASSY’s manifesto—a testament to their commitment to sustainability and inclusivity—is a rallying cry for action. The group hopes it inspires locals to join their movement or support them through donations and collaboration.

SASSY’s work exemplifies what happens when young people are given the tools and trust to lead. By blending innovative projects with a commitment to listening, they’re paving the way for a more sustainable, connected Tiverton. But as Sally and Indy made clear, their success depends on collective effort.

In their words, “This isn’t just about the youth. It’s about everyone coming together to make the world a better place.”