A new youth strategy has been agreed to support young people in Bracknell Forest.
This is an important step forward in making sure the borough is a place where children, young people and their families feel safe and can thrive.
The new strategy is based on what young people, their parents and carers, and people who work with our children and young people told us.
Vision
Our vision is that all young people in Bracknell Forest will have access to youth work services to ensure their teenage years are enjoyable, and no young person is left behind.
Mission
Our mission is that all young people in Bracknell Forest can be themselves, lead healthy lives, be safe, happy, and reach their true potential, and transition into adulthood positively.
Themes
Over the past 6 months, we have asked young people, families, practitioners, and partners what is important to them. We also asked how we can improve services.
During the consultation, some themes were identified including:
- tackling bullying
- feeling safer when moving about the borough
- greater access to information on subjects like mental and sexual health
- having space to be young and do youth activities without being judged
- championing young carers
- greater opportunity to get involved in the democratic process
- having greater access to youth workers for support (it was acknowledged the professionals young people were in contact with were respectful, understanding and listened to them)
Priority areas
The new strategy reflects these comments and the ambitions mentioned during the consultation. It gives five priority areas of focus over the next 3 years:
- We want to keep young people safe and intervene early to prevent and reduce harm.
- We will support young people to make informed decisions about their health and wellbeing.
- We will develop a multi-agency offer of support for young carers.
- We will create more opportunities for young people to take part in democratic engagement across their communities.
- We will invest in the workforce to support youth workers/professionals and develop pathway for young people to have a career in youth and early help work.
Action plan
An action plan for 2024 to 2027 was also agreed to drive and deliver the priorities of the strategies.
It includes:
- developing a peer mentoring programme for young people to encourage and promote youth activities and provide support on topics like bullying
- holding regular open events at Braccan Walk Youth Centre (and other settings) to promote what is available for young people locally
- working with young people to provide training and assemblies on anti-bullying
- creating anti-bullying champions
- developing a series of summer activities for young people
- securing funding for youth clubs across the borough, including youth clubs for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND)
- holding an annual Young Person’s Day in Bracknell Forest
- making sure there is support and activities for young carers at youth clubs and other non-educational settings
- supporting young people to campaign about topics that are important to them
- better promotion of existing sports, arts and drama groups for young people
- setting up a creative arts group at Braccan Walk Youth Centre and developing the other activities on offer there
- increasing the number of children attending the youth council and carrying out an election event for the Member of Youth Parliament
Cllr Roy Bailey, executive member for children, young people and learning, said:
“Our young people are a really important part of our community, and we know we must continue to support them and improve what is available for them locally.
“This new youth strategy sets out how we will do that based on what they’ve told us they want us to focus on.
“Successful youth work and activities enable young people to develop and thrive. It helps them to find their voice and their place in society.
“This is an exciting plan to help all our young people reach their full potential and feel safe, secure and valued in their home town.”
More information
The strategy was agreed by the council’s executive meeting on 21 May.
Consultation for the strategy included surveys, focus groups, and engagement with young people in the community during detached youth work sessions. Consultation events took place with young people, partners, parents, and carers.
An online survey in February and March 2024 generated comments from 148 young people and 48 adults. We incorporated feedback into the final youth strategy and the implementation action plan.
