30 Under 30 is a renowned Young Greens training programme designed to equip young activists and future leaders with the skills they need to drive political change. Over an intensive weekend, I had the opportunity to learn from past graduates of the scheme, connect with like-minded individuals, and develop my confidence in campaigning, public speaking, and strategy. Below, I’ve outlined what we got up to during this inspiring and insightful experience.
Friday PM
We arrived in Lee Valley at midday, dropped off our luggage at the hostel, and headed straight to Westminster. It was a sunny day, and the Houses of Parliament looked picturesque. With our visitor badges in place, we were led to a Committee Room to meet Baroness Natalie Bennett. A former Green Party leader, Natalie was nominated for a life peerage in the House of Lords in 2019. A few month ago I had briefly met her at a press event for her book Change Everything (which, I admit, I have yet to read), where she spoke eloquently and inspiringly. It was a pleasure to hear her speak again.
After an insightful Q&A session, we said our goodbyes and embarked on a tour of Parliament. Our guide, Nick, brought history to life with entertaining stories and spot-on impersonations of various political figures. Standing in the House of Commons (we weren’t allowed to sit – we weren’t MPs just yet), I reflected on the many times I’d seen footage of Green MPs speaking there. In contrast, stepping into the House of Lords felt unfamiliar. As I admired the gold-adorned throne and plush red seating, I couldn’t help but reflect on how outdated and undemocratic it is to have Lords appointed through hereditary titles or to allow religious representation limited solely to Church of England bishops, excluding voices from other faiths and beliefs.
For me, the highlight of the tour was New Dawn, a contemporary light installation by artist Mary Branson. New Dawn is a circular sculpture made up of 168 glass scrolls arranged in a radial pattern. Suspended within a metal framework, the scrolls are illuminated in shades of blue, red, yellow, and white, creating a glowing, sun-like effect. Influenced by the River Thames, the sculpture responds to the tide: at low tide, only one glass scroll is illuminated, while at high tide, the entire piece lights up. The artwork represents the ‘tide of change’ sparked by the Suffragette movement, acting as a reminder of the ongoing fight for equality within Parliament today. With its appearance inspired by a rising sun, the sculpture left me with a sense of hope as I stepped out of the Palace of Westminster.
Saturday AM
For the rest of the weekend, we got stuck into some studying. These sessions were led by previous 30 Under 30 graduates, and I found them incredibly informative and accessible (I even surprised myself by staying engaged for seven hours of learning in one day).
We kicked off the morning with a brief history of the Green Party and Green Movement, led by Young Greens Co-Chair Callum Clafferty. My main takeaway was just how recently the party was established. I now have a greater appreciation for the fact that we’re living through the most progressive era of the Green Party, and I’m excited to be helping lead Nottingham Green Party at such a pivotal time. Speaking of leadership, we smoothly transitioned into a session on the party’s structure and decision-making processes. Callum delivered this brilliantly – what could have been a dry, complex topic was made clear and engaging. I now feel confident in how policies are implemented within the party and how to nominate for elections. This session also helped clarify where the Young Greens sit within the national party structure.
Our second session of the morning was led by staff member James Vessey-Miller, who told us all about 30 Under 30 ‘back in his day’ (which, if I’m not mistaken, can’t have been much longer than five years ago). This session focused on Winning Elections, and I’d probably say it was my favourite of the weekend. I learned all about the nationally recommended Target to Win strategy for local elections, and James would be pleased to know I plan to make sure every member of Nottingham Green Party knows exactly what this means. We also covered strategies like becoming a councillor in waiting and using emotional levers such as loss aversion and reciprocity to connect with voters. Simple, clear messaging is key – and sometimes requires message discipline. So if you start hearing me preaching ‘Greens Work Hard’ and ‘Greens Can Win’ around the city, now you know why.
Saturday PM
After lunch, James continued with a session on Resilience and Sustainability. We looked at past examples to see where the party could improve, and a common theme emerged- complacency after a big win. Fortunately, Nottingham will need to win a few battles before we have the chance to get complacent. We also explored the importance of membership engagement, which I found particularly relevant at the local level. The (slightly forced) three Rs – Recruit, Rouse, Retain – highlighted how vital it is for local parties to constantly bring in new members, engage them, and even provide training where needed to keep them involved. I think the Nottingham Green Party has a real opportunity to strengthen engagement, for example, through pieces like this one, where I can share updates on my work as a committee member with our wider membership.
Our Young Greens Political Education Officer, Eugene McCarthy, led our final session of the day: Learning from our Opponents. In groups, we researched political parties from around the world, analysing their strengths, weaknesses, and what we could learn from them. My group researched the Communist Party of Austria – a name that might raise eyebrows, but a party that has seen remarkable success. They’ve gained real traction in Austria, particularly through bold social housing policies and a (relevant to us) merger with the Austrian Young Greens.
The day wrapped up with a quiz led by Young Greens staff member Arran. Being the responsible (and very sleepy) person that I am, I was tucked up in bed before I even realised a late-night pub trip was on the cards.
Sunday AM
Young Greens Co-Chair Luanne Thornton kicked off our final day with a hands-on session on Public Speaking and Media. We practiced skills such as reading and utilising body language, connecting emotionally with an audience, managing nerves, and projecting our voices. As Co-Chair of Nottingham Green Party, I regularly speak at meetings and gatherings – and as I gain confidence, I may also take part in media interviews.
My key takeaways from the session were:
- Adapt to your audience – a speech at an Executive Committee meeting should be very different from one delivered to the general public.
- Keep it simple – get across key points in clear, accessible language, avoiding jargon or overly complex policy.
- Use personal stories – connecting with an audience is easier when speaking from experience.
I also picked up some great advice on handling tricky questions when I don’t know the answer – but I’ll be keeping that secret to myself!
Next, Eugene led a session on Making Real Change, where we explored effective campaigning at both local and national levels, looking at both successful strategies and lessons learned from the Green Party and other political parties. This built on the public speaking session as we continued to learn how to empathise and engage with different audiences. I left feeling inspired by real-life examples of how clear and strategic communication can make a real difference in our communities.
Sunday PM
We rounded off the weekend with a session led by Eugene, reflecting on our plans for the future. We began by imagining our ideal lives in five years’ time. Beyond the classic ‘get a dog’ or ‘meet the love of my life’, I found myself drawn to more compassionate goals. A recurring theme was my desire to help others – something shaped by my own experiences navigating mental health struggles, where I want to use the skills I’ve learnt to support others facing similar challenges. Similarly, after a weekend of learning how to make a difference within the Green Party, I want to share that knowledge and empower others to drive the progressive change they seek. It was a fitting end to a valuable weekend, leaving me inspired and hopeful.
30 Under 30 was an incredible experience – I learnt so much, met inspiring people, and left feeling more confident in my ability to create change. I’m so grateful to have been selected for the programme and would highly recommend it to any Young Greens looking to develop their political and campaigning skills. I can’t wait to put everything I’ve learnt into practice here in Nottingham.
Ellie Jewson
Nottingham Green Party Co-Chair