Finding ways to become more informed, upskilled, and connected for sustainability really is easier than ever. What’s more, education providers are recognising peoples’ desire for opportunities to learn more about sustainability, and are putting resources into offering new ways of learning. It’s very inspiring seeing this unfold!
What’s more, when you help create accessible, new spaces for likeminded people to connect, it’s incredibly rewarding to see the value and joy they bring to people.
That’s what I experienced through facilitating Falmouth University’s first ‘Championing Sustainability’ short course - positive action can look as simple as opening up a space for a community to come together.
What did I do?
In early 2025, whilst working as Falmouth University’s Sustainability Coordinator, I helped the Short Course team design and deliver a handful of half-day workshops, called ‘Leading Sustainability Change in Business’ - oh, and one on the Isles of Scilly, which felt exotic! Over the summer, we reflected on the workshops successes, challenges, feedback, and used it all to grow and reimagine the content as a new, two-week online course.
The ‘Championing Sustainability’ online course ran for the first time in October 2025 - free to Cornwall and Isles of Scilly residents, stacked full of on-demand content and reusable resources, and completed by 11 champions of tomorrow. I was grateful to be asked to facilitate the course, chatting to students via our interactive platform as well as running a couple of bespoke webinars.
What were the highlights of creating and delivering this course?
- Crafting content exploring the history of sustainability, core sustainability frameworks and tools such as the Sustainable Development Goals and Doughnut Economics, as well as what good leadership and communication looks like, and wrapping this up in an engaging, entirely self-led learning experience.
- The range of individuals who attended – there were industry workers, a range of sectors represented, both experienced professionals and people new to this area; this diversity helped create the rich learning experience and discussion topics, not me!
- The live webinars, the conversations and socialising with others, were the parts of the learning experience most valued by everyone.
What can anyone take away from this?
Finding community can help us feel enriched, equipped and hopeful in light of the sustainability challenges we face. We might at first seek out sustainability information and skills, but more often than not we soon discover it’s sustainability community we desire; finding likeminded people and connecting with them, chatting through the up’s and downs.
Perhaps then, one of the greatest positive influences we can make, for ourselves and for others, is being part of, setting up, supporting, or even returning to, a community.
Find out more about the 'Championing Sustainability' short course here.
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Working Endorsements
Jake has a collegiate and supportive communication style that works well in several contexts, from student-facing work to stakeholder and strategic input. Whether a specific brief or leading on transformative change, he approaches tasks with both authority and collaboration.
Dr Russell Crawford - Pro Vice Chancellor: Academic Services for Falmouth University
Expertly curated and delivered…the whole experience has truly left me energised with ideas.
Attendee - Falmouth University’s ‘Sustainability Bootcamp’
Grounding and inspiring, a truly valuable session for anyone working in sustainability or looking to be a change maker in their organisation.
Saul Whitford - Knowledge Exchange & Impact Officer for Plymouth University
