The voice of young people is set to shape future plans in Sandwell with the Young Person’s Corporate Plan being approved by Sandwell’s Cabinet earlier this month.

The Young People’s Corporate Plan sets out young residents’ aspirations for Sandwell via nine key themes including mental health support, climate change, crime and safety and volunteering and job opportunities.

Councillor Simon Hackett, Cabinet Member for Children, Young People and Education, said: “The voice of young people is at the heart of this plan.

“We remain committed to providing young people with the best start in life so that they can reach their full potential.

“Our ability to respond to what our young people tell us matters to them is a central theme that runs through the way we will work together with our young people to deliver on their priorities.”

The plan was co-designed and co-produced by young people across Sandwell following workshops with primary and secondary schools across Sandwell, feedback from a young people’s survey in 2022 and key input with Sandwell’s young people’s forum known as SHAPE Youth Forum.

Josh Jordan, aged 17, a SHAPE Forum member, presented the report to Sandwell’s Cabinet on 7 June. He said:

“Young people are key to the future of Sandwell. Having our voices heard loud and clear on important issues that directly affect our lives and matter most to us is important.”

The plan details future service provision to achieve the key themes and how young people will be able to hold the Council to account via performance measures and milestones.

The Young People’s Corporate Plan touches on all the objectives of the Corporate Plan as it engages young people’s opinions on several issues ranging from mental health to housing.