The Ticking Clock is Portsmouth Music Services’ initiative that uses music, creativity, and the arts to inspire children and young people to explore environmental issues and take positive action for a more sustainable future.
Through original songs, creative projects, performances, workshops, and educational resources, this award-winning initiative supports schools in engaging pupils with themes including climate change, sustainability, biodiversity, and environmental responsibility in meaningful and imaginative ways.
The Ticking Clock brings together young people, schools, artists, and community partners to amplify youth voices, encourage creative expression, and demonstrate how the arts can play a vital role in shaping conversations about the future of our planet.
Whether through singing, composing, visual arts, dance, performance, or curriculum-linked learning activities, The Ticking Clock provides opportunities throughout the year for pupils to explore environmental themes while developing confidence, creativity, collaboration, and communication skills.
As the initiative continues to grow, schools will have access to a range of resources, projects, workshops, performances, and events, all designed to help young people become informed, engaged, and empowered advocates for environmental change.
Resources
The Ticking Clock documentary was the culmination of this powerful climate-focused project, where pupils explored sustainability through music and creativity.
Use this film to celebrate Carbon Literacy Awareness Day, spark conversations about climate action, and inspire young people to make a positive difference in their communities.
Student Ambassador, Olivia Dixon delivers a powerful call to action, highlighting the importance of listening to young people's concerns about climate change and the future of our planet. Her message encourages audiences to take meaningful action, recognise the impact of environmental challenges, and ensure that the voices of the next generation are heard and valued in shaping a more sustainable future.
Conservationist Aneeshwar Kunchala delivers an inspiring message about the importance of protecting our planet and the role that young people can play in creating positive change. Drawing on his passion for wildlife, and sustainability, he encourages audiences to take action, make environmentally conscious choices, and recognise that every individual has the power to make a difference in building a healthier future for our world.
As part of the initiative, local arts organisation Seekers Create worked with students to explore environmental issues and express their thoughts, ideas and concerns through creative art. Download this doodle resource to inspire pupils to reflect on themes such as climate change, sustainability and caring for our planet, using art as a powerful tool for creativity, discussion and self-expression.
A Journey Through Time
The Ticking Clock Launch
Portsmouth Music Service launched The Ticking Clock, a creative environmental initiative using music and the arts to help children and young people explore climate change, sustainability and environmental responsibility.
Creative Arts Workshops
Schools took part in visual arts workshops delivered by Seekers Create, encouraging pupils to express their environmental concerns and ideas through creative artwork inspired by the future of our planet.
Dance Workshops
Dancer Natalie Johns delivered engaging workshops enabling young people to express environmental themes through movement, choreography and performance, exploring how dance can communicate powerful messages about climate action.
Creative Songwriting Workshops
Students took part in songwriting and rap workshops delivered by Ricky Tart, developing original lyrics, spoken word pieces and songs inspired by environmental themes. Young people explored how music and songwriting can be used to inform, inspire and advocate for positive change.
Vocal Workshops
Using original songs created for the initiative, pupils developed their singing and performance skills under the direction of singer-songwriter Emily Barden, while raising awareness of environmental issues and amplifying young people's voices.
Creating the Documentary
Artwork, performances, discussions and creative contributions from participating schools were brought together to create a documentary capturing the ideas, creativity and aspirations of Portsmouth's young people.
The Ticking Clock Celebration Event
The project culminated in a special event at the Kings Theatre, featuring student-led discussions, live performances and the premiere of The Ticking Clock documentary. The evening celebrated the creativity, passion and environmental commitment of Portsmouth's young people.
Green Apple Award Winner
The Ticking Clock was recognised with a prestigious Green Apple Award, celebrating the initiative's contribution to environmental education, sustainability, creative engagement and youth voice.
Growing the Initiative
Building on the success of the inaugural project, The Ticking Clock continues to develop through new songs, resources, partnerships, workshops, creative projects and performance opportunities. The initiative remains committed to empowering children and young people to become advocates for a more sustainable future through music and the arts.