£2m Investment for Wolverhampton's young people
An ambitious new multi-million pound strategy designed to help Wolverhampton's young people reach their full potential has been officially launched at The Way Youth Zone..
The Youth Engagement Strategy, #YES, was developed following extensive feedback from nearly 12,000 children and young people and their parents and carers and will support the youth of Wolverhampton to be healthier, be connected and be heard.
Additional funding of nearly £2m over the next three years will be used to create a city-wide youth engagement team, provide better information about and signposting to events and opportunities and set up a funding pot which young people, families, groups and organisations can use to develop new activities.
Leader of the Council, Councillor Ian Brookfield, launched the strategy created by Wolverhampton Children and Families Together Board.
He said: “We want every child and young person in our city to thrive and hit their full potential, and when I became leader of Wolverhampton Council last May I made this one of my key priorities.
“I also tasked my council colleagues to re-prioritise spending and resources in this area, despite the financial challenges we face, including additional funding for The Way and the launch of our hugely successful WV Holiday Squad. To me, it’s that important.
"We are committed to putting children and young people at the heart of what we do, and through #YES I am confident we will change the relationship we have with our city’s youngsters.
"This is not a short-term commitment. We know that making a real and lasting impact on the lives of our children and young people cannot be achieved overnight. We also know that it is not the responsibility of a single person or organisation – it needs everyone in our city to work together, and that’s what we promise to do."
Children from Northern House School spoke about the positive impact that Headstart and the Summer Squad programmes have had on their lives.
Melissa Page, a student, said: "I'm really honoured to have this opportunity to have my voice heard and to have my say and I hope that these things are considered when planning the new strategy."
They were joined by youth workers from InPower Academy, teachers from city-based schools and parents who all are all backing the new investment the council are pledging towards children's services.
Councillor Brookfield added: “It was great to see so many organisations – and young people – join us for the official launch of the strategy, and to hear and endorse our city’s vision to give Wolverhampton’s youngsters a brighter future.”
The event concluded with the official launch of Wolverhampton Children and Families Together Board’s new co-production charter, which seeks to ensure that the voice of children, young people and families helps shape and deliver better services and support.
Councillor John Reynolds, cabinet member for children and young people, said: "As well as identifying a range of ways in which we can help our young people be healthy, be connected and be heard, and valuing their contribution in making Wolverhampton a great place to grow up and raise a family.
"The strategy also recognises the need to involve young people in shaping services, with co-production a key element, and so it was important that we launched Wolverhampton Children and Families Together Board’s Co-Production Charter."
Member organisations of the board will now develop an action plan to focus on the priority areas identified by the #YES strategy.
