By Abbas Nazil
A pioneering climate change training programme designed specifically for people with learning disabilities has helped participants in the United Kingdom better understand environmental issues and adopt practical ways to reduce their impact on the planet.
The course, believed to be the first of its kind in the UK, was completed by brothers Patrick and Michael McKinney, who live in supported accommodation in Newtownstewart, County Tyrone.
The initiative aims to make climate education more accessible by simplifying complex environmental concepts and encouraging participants to take small but meaningful actions in their daily lives.
Instead of relying on technical language or statistics, the training uses pictures, practical demonstrations and interactive activities to help participants understand how their personal choices can affect the environment.
One of the activities used during the training involved playing bingo with pictures representing climate-friendly actions rather than numbers, making it easier for participants to grasp the ideas while also enjoying the learning process.
Patrick and Michael, who both have special needs, attended classes over several weeks in 2025 and have since started applying what they learned at home.
Patrick now focuses on environmentally friendly habits such as buying pre-loved clothes instead of new ones to reduce waste and limit the environmental impact of fast fashion.
Michael, who enjoys gardening and growing flowers, has taken responsibility for collecting food waste and turning it into compost that can be used to enrich the soil in their garden.
Both brothers also participate in sorting recycling at home and use reusable water bottles when they go to the gym, further reducing their environmental footprint.
Michael is also responsible for turning off lights whenever they leave their home and has embraced other energy-saving habits introduced during the course.
Patrick contributes by mowing the lawn and placing the grass cuttings into a compost heap, ensuring that organic waste is reused instead of being discarded.
Patrick described the training as a positive experience that helped him learn about animals, walking in nature and making changes at home that can benefit the environment.
Support worker Hanna Coney, who works with the brothers at Sperrins Supported Living Services, encouraged them to participate in the programme after becoming more concerned about environmental issues following the birth of her child last year.
She said the training was intended to help improve the brothers’ independence and confidence while also helping them understand environmental challenges.
Coney noted that discussions about climate change can sometimes be frightening, particularly for vulnerable individuals, and support workers must ensure that information is shared in a balanced and reassuring way.
However, she said the brothers embraced the programme enthusiastically and quickly became involved in applying the lessons they learned.
The training programme is expected to be expanded to other supported living services in 2026 to reach more people with learning disabilities.
Agnes Lunny, chief executive of the organisation Positive Futures, which helped implement the initiative, said people with learning disabilities are often excluded from discussions about major societal issues, including climate change.
She explained that the programme was developed in collaboration with environmental charity Keep Northern Ireland Beautiful to ensure that climate information is accessible to everyone.
According to Lunny, many people assume that environmental topics are too complex for individuals with learning difficulties, which often leads to their exclusion from educational programmes and public conversations.
She stressed that accessible communication is key to ensuring that everyone can understand environmental challenges and contribute to solutions.
The course was funded through the plastic bag levy and developed by Keep Northern Ireland Beautiful’s Strategic Lead for Climate Action, Scott Howes.
Howes explained that the training emphasises both understanding and practical action, encouraging participants to connect with nature and explore the environment around them.
Participants are encouraged to walk in forests, observe natural landscapes, draw what they see and discuss their experiences with others as a way of building a deeper appreciation for the natural world.
Through these activities, they learn about the impact human actions can have on the environment and discover simple steps they can take to reduce environmental damage.
Organisers say the programme demonstrates that climate education can be inclusive and empowering when it is presented in ways that people of all abilities can understand and apply in their everyday lives.
