SIX students from Queen Elizabeth’s Academy in Crediton together with other young adults from the Exeter area, are part of a scheme to develop a social action project that aims to cut air pollution.

As part of the National Citizenship Service program Natasha Slee, Antonia Woolley, Maisy Thresher, Abi Sansom, Chelsea Collings and Katlyn Colgrave from Crediton have been given the challenge to improve an issue they were concerned about within the local community.

They’re part of a group called Atone Air making up 14 young adults who have decided to focus on air pollution.

Others also taking part from the Exeter area are Becca Scrivens, Finn Lowther, Harry Sowden, Inake Iriarte, JJ Coleman, Katie O’Connor, Lotte Hartmann and Poppy Perry-Hake.

Having discussed many possible projects they decided that the best way to help citizens would be to embark upon a mission that affects each and every individual.

Four week plan

As part of their National Citizen Service, the group has four weeks to plan their project;

During week one the students went to the Brecon Beacons, south Wales where they tested their skills and strength as a team by pushing themselves to complete challenges, such as caving and gorge walking. 

Throughout week two they attended many workshops at Bicton College, Budleigh Salterton, that taught life skills that will be extremely beneficial in the future. They also stayed in college accommodation in single rooms to prepare them for the future such as attending university.  

In week three they invented their social action project that helps to combat air pollution in the local area. They are fundraising and tackling any issues that might arise in order to move forward and achieve their goal.

To end this week the team will be pitching the project to a panel of important advisers, who will then decide if we are worthy of a grant. This funding will help further boost plans and ensure they can afford to continue making the moss structures. 

During week four the team will be putting their project into action by constructing the moss structures and putting them in place. 

Support

The project is looking for companies and supporters who are possibly able to help them by a financial donation or by allowing them to buy the resources needed to build the structures they are planning on making to reduce pollution levels.

Their aim is to reduce the pollution levels by building several structures containing moss. Moss has a higher absorption rate than trees and is easy to work with.

Atone Air are is seeking to combat the worsening air pollution problem, initially targeting Exeter but with a view to expand to include Crediton. The moss structures will filter dust, nitrogen dioxides, particulates and CO2 from the air.

Any companies that are able to donate, will have their logo on the structures.

Professor Jeremy. A. Roberts, Deputy Vice Chancellor from Plymouth University, quoted the group by saying: “Atone Air should be congratulated on devising an innovative way of reducing air pollution in our cities. They are a great team and I wish them every success.”

If you would like to donate to the project use this link: https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/atone-air .

You can also follow their progress their social media pages at: https://twitter.com/atoneair and https://www.facebook.com/atoneair/ .

To find out more about the National Citizen Service, please visit: http://www.ncsyes.co.uk .