Children from Universal Voices, a community choir at the University of Reading’s Institute of Education, performed at a Department for Education stakeholder reception in London on Tuesday 7 July.
The choir sang a set of songs with a climate theme, ending with a song written for the Climate Ambassadors programme by Jessica Gardner, Climate Ambassador project Manager and Dr Rebecca Berkley, Associate Professor in Music Education.
Climate Ambassadors links more than 1,300 volunteers with education settings to help them develop and deliver climate action plans covering adaptation, biodiversity, climate education, green careers and decarbonisation. It is part of the DfE’s Sustainability Support Programme.
Dr Rebecca Berkley, Director of Universal Voices, said: “It was a privilege for the children to perform at the Department for Education. They have worked hard on this programme of songs, and singing the Climate Ambassadors song in the building where the programme is based meant a great deal to them. Universal Voices exists to give children in Reading the chance to take part in experiences like this.”
Universal Voices is for children aged 7 to 11 from the Reading area. Dr Rebecca Berkley, started the choir in 2017. Children take part in a programme of musicianship training covering musical understanding, aural skills and musical literacy.
The choir also trains teachers. Students on the University’s BA in Primary Education volunteer with the choir and learn to teach, conduct and help run the project alongside the children.
Universal Voices performs regularly around Reading, including leading the University’s Centenary RAG parade in May as a Samba dragon.
Professor Andrew Charlton-Perez, Climate Ambassadors co-founder, said: “Universal Voices has supported the Climate Ambassadors programme since it began. The choir’s final song was written by the children themselves, working alongside the Climate Ambassadors team. Taking that song into the heart of the Department for Education, the very place that funds the programme, felt like the story coming full circle.”
Find out more about the Climate Ambassadors programme. Read:
- Sustainable schools expert joins as visiting professor (2026)
- Climate education champion receives OBE at royal investiture (2026)
- Climate Ambassadors ready to support school buildings plan (2026)
- Climate action in progress at more than 10,000 schools (2025)
- Minister is Climate Ambassador number 1,000 (2025)
- £2m climate education expansion for England’s young learners (2023)
- Climate advisors for schools in new education scheme (2022)
