Trash Free Trails Launch Their TrashMob Academy Educational Programme.

Trash Free Trails have launched the TrashMob Academy, their first educational programme to help reconnect kids with their environment.

Starting as a conversation about using the Trash Free Trails logo by a teacher in Wakefield, the TrashMob Academy has grown to a point where it’s being rolled out as TFT’s first educational offering.

Photos by Rich Baybutt.

Trash Free Trails (TFT) are kick starting their first educational offering for young people this Autumn, in a bid to revitalise the potential of outdoor education to support wellbeing and nature connection in young people.

The TrashMob Academy is a unique youth engagement project offering young people the opportunity to learn mountain biking, running and hiking skills whilst developing positive environmental attitudes, connections to nature and understanding of litter.

Using outdoor education as a catalyst for behaviour change, the TrashMob Academy employs a combination of classroom content, outdoor physical activity and local trail cleaning to improve self esteem, confidence and wellbeing for both students and their local environment.

Designed to address increasing disconnection from nature felt by children and the ongoing rise in mental health difficulties across the youth population, the TrashMob Academy draws from a breadth of established research advocating for the benefit of outdoor education on mental and psychological well being. (Hartig, 2007 and Natural England, 2016)

The programme advocates for the necessity of kinesthetic and outdoor learning opportunities for children and adolescents, most especially those with additional needs, with limited access to green space, and for those facing the adverse effects of social inequality. (Wells & Evans, 2003)

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Delivered as a pilot programme in Wakefield in 2020, the TrashMob Academy has already had incredible successes. Students who completed the pilot displayed a renewed sense of responsibility and confidence by the end of the course, with profound development seen in their interpersonal skills and self-expression. (Trash Free Trails, 2020) Now in its final form, the programme is available as an integrated curriculum item or as a bolt-on activity in schools and educational settings.

To kick start the programme’s official launch, TFT will take the TrashMob Academy ‘on tour’, delivering the course to three schools in North West England. A remote version of the programme’s content is available via the release of TFT’s first E-Learning course with online learning provider Udamon, called ‘Contribution for Connections’.

Speaking to the value of the TrashMob Academy, Trash Free Trails Programmes Manager Rich Breedon shares:

“Giving young people the opportunity to experience the world around them in a way they might never have previously is something really special. We believe this opportunity is a stepping stone to developing the generation of happy, healthy environmental stewards our world desperately needs.”

Schools and educational professionals are encouraged to engage with the programme in whatever way suits them. Whether it be incorporating the E-Learning course into an established curriculum, to embedding the six-week fully-fledged TrashMob Academy programme into the academic year, Trash Free Trails have created an adaptive education offering with young people and planet at its heart.

To join TrashMob Academy LIVE on October 21st, head here to book your free place!

You can find out more about the Trash Free Trails TrashMob Academy on their website here.


  1. I am very glad that you have touched upon the topic of mental health in this educational program. in our time, a lot of children suffer and few can support them, especially children who have a toxic relationship with their mothers. in such cases, it is necessary to fix the problem, otherwise, the child may grow up closed and anxious. you can read more about this topic here https://www.australiacounselling.com.au/what-to-do-when-you-have-a-toxic-mother/

  2. I am very glad that you have touched upon the topic of mental health in this educational program. in our time, a lot of children suffer and few can support them, especially children who have a toxic relationship with their mothers. in such cases, it is necessary to fix the problem, otherwise, the child may grow up closed and anxious. you can read more about this topic here https://www.australiacounselling.com.au/what-to-do-when-you-have-a-toxic-mother/ We cannot change other people, our parents – and even more so. But we can always change our attitude towards them. Realize that they loved us. Give them room to make mistakes. And build within yourself a new harmonious image of your family. This is what will allow you to create a constructive relationship with the outside world.

  3. This is an amazing program for students. And it’s great that it includes not only sports skills, but will also teach the young student about different very important issues. Especially about the environment and nature, because as we can see, we have to take care of it not to face different consequences. And psychological aspect is also very crucial. In general, it’s cool that the program includes so many aspects and social issues, and it will certainly be beneficial. I’m working on one educational project about different social issues; I’ve found so much info online, and especially useful was this source https://graduateway.com/essay-examples/social-issues/ which provided me some examples and info on issues, which helped me to decide what to include into writing. And there will be a block about different programs that improve students’ knowledge. I’ll for sure mention this program, and I think I’ll be able to find others so that I will make my writing very complex and informative.

  4. Thank you for sharing this fantastic initiative by Trash Free Trails, the TrashMob Academy educational program. It’s inspiring to see efforts being made to educate and engage the mountain biking community in keeping our trails clean and preserving the environment.

    TrashMob Academy’s focus on education and awareness is crucial in promoting responsible trail use and minimizing our environmental impact. By equipping riders with knowledge and resources, we can foster a culture of environmental stewardship within the mountain biking community.

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  6. Trash Free Trails’ launch of the TrashMob Academy is an inspiring step towards environmental education. Their commitment to cleaner trails and sustainable practices is commendable. Just as educational platforms like MasterClass https://edureviewer.com/sites-like-masterclass/ offer diverse learning, TrashMob Academy equips individuals with knowledge to protect our trails. Embracing such initiatives empowers us to make a positive impact on nature and our world.

  7. This statement highlights the critical need for the TrashMob Academy, which is designed to combat the growing disconnection from nature experienced by children and the increasing mental health challenges among young people. It is rooted in well-established research, such as the studies conducted by Hartig in 2007 and the findings of Natural England in 2016, which emphasize the positive impact of outdoor education on mental and psychological well-being. The TrashMob Academy places strong emphasis on the importance of kinesthetic and outdoor learning opportunities, particularly for children and adolescents who face additional challenges, have limited access to natural environments, or are affected by social inequality. This approach aligns with the research conducted by Wells and Evans in 2003, which underscores the benefits of nature-based experiences for these vulnerable populations. If you’re interested in learning more or would like to order bachelor thesis on this topic, please feel free to reach out to us.

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