I'm raising funds to create a workshop for kids that will encourage their natural empathy for animals to grow and to find expression.

The workshop is designed to nurture a heartfelt connection between young people and the animals they share the world with.

Through gentle storytelling, powerful short videos, and open discussions, children are invited to step into the experiences of animals - to imagine their emotions, struggles, and joys.

Instead of focusing solely on facts, the sessions bring empathy to life by encouraging students to see animals as sentient beings with their own personalities, feelings and needs.

The workshops will be delivered in partnership with Gen Earth, a social enterprise with extensive experience in developing and implementing engaging climate programmes for young people.

Each child will choose a species to learn about, discovering inspiring reasons to care for and protect them - from whales, the “teachers of the ocean,” to everyday creatures they may encounter in their own lives.

Sensitive topics, such as farmed animals, will be explored thoughtfully and with care.

The workshops culminate in a creative opportunity where students envision and create a kinder world for all living beings through art and craft activities. Space will be given for every voice to share and reflect on what compassion looks like in action.

For reference, please read Disappearing Kinship: How Growing Up Teaches Children to see Animals as 'Other'

PLEASE DONATE WHATEVER YOU CAN TO BRING THIS PROJECT TO LIFE.

Who am I? My name is Bel. I'm a former climate campaigner turned writer and speaker for animals and the natural world - and founder of The Empathy Project. For five years, I delivered talks about animal rights and veganism to primary and secondary school children; much of my learning comes from that valuable experience. I also trained and, for two years, volunteered as a child counsellor with Place2Be.

What is the Empathy Project? The Empathy Project is a cultural platform addressing the urgent need to change the way humans see animals, towards ways that benefit all.

The project was developed in response to the depth and scale of animal suffering on the planet today - and to the belief that, where animals suffer and are exploited, inevitably, humans suffer and are exploited, too.

Working across film and education, through talks and writing, in art and culture, animals are brought to the foreground, both in terms of what they endure and who they are, as thinking, feeling, loving individuals.

The Empathy Project believes that, if we place the lives of others (those we have Othered) alongside ourselves, we will set in place the restorative cultures that will support us, the natural world, her animals and our children, in difficult futures.

Who is Gen Earth? Gen Earth is a non-profit social enterprise which helps young people feel inspired, empowered and better informed through increasing their access to conservation education. They work in partnership with the best conservation and climate justice organisations to boost their educational outreach.

* Support the work by donating whatever you can. All donors will receive regular updates.

* Subscribe to The Empathy Project here.