Vision for young people across Telford and Wrekin unveiled
A vision to provide more access to activities, clubs and support for young people has been announced this week.
At a meeting of Telford & Wrekin Council’s Cabinet, members voted unanimously in favour of a new youth strategy for the Borough.
The strategy has been developed in recent months in consultation with different groups of young people across the Borough to ensure it’s a true representation of their voice and needs.
Parents, carers and key partner organisations have also been involved in its development.
It’s nationally recognised that providing youth services outside of the classroom can have a positive impact on young people’s development, wellbeing and life chances.
The new strategy sets out a Borough-wide approach to delivering an enhanced youth offer around three main areas, including youth activities, youth clubs and youth support.
The current youth offer includes a wide range of universal activities, 28 targeted youth clubs, including bespoke provisions for children in care, young carers and young people with special education needs and disabilities (SEND) and eight family hubs providing specialist youth and community support services, this also includes a specialist family hub.
The strategy will strengthen existing youth provision, which is predominantly delivered by the Borough’s town and parish councils and voluntary sector organisations and look at how the Council can support those partners to develop and expand provision.
Key actions in the strategy include the re-establishment of the local youth partnership board to oversee the delivery of the strategy and the establishment of the Voices in Unity group, which brings together young people from diverse backgrounds to share their experiences and influence decisions on services and activities.
Councillor Shirley Reynolds, Cabinet Member for Children, Young People, Education, Employment and Skills, said:
“We want Telford and Wrekin to be a truly child-friendly Borough - a place where every child and young person is healthy, safe, and able to reach their full potential.
“Our youth strategy has been shaped by young people themselves. They told us what matters most, and we listened.
“We know we’ve already got a strong youth offer, with many activities and wider support provided successfully by partners across the Borough.
“This strategy builds on that strong foundation and represents an investment in our young people today and in future generations.
“It goes beyond our statutory duties and even exceeds the recent national strategy announced by government.
“This strategy is more than words on a page - it’s our commitment to making Telford and Wrekin a place where every young person feels valued, supported, and empowered to thrive.”
