Sandwell – A Playful Borough

Did You Know? Sandwell Council is Going for UNICEF Child Friendly Borough Status!

Hey Sandwell families!

Did you know that Sandwell Council is aiming to become a UNICEF Child Friendly Borough? This is a big step towards making our community even better for our children and young people.

 

What is a Child Friendly Borough?

A Child Friendly Borough is internationally recognised. It’s a place that respects and promotes the rights of children and young people, giving them lots of opportunities to get involved in social, cultural, political, and economic life. It’s all about making sure kids are safe, well, and included in everything our community has to offer.

 

Listening to Our Young People

The decision to apply for this status came after talking with children and young people in Sandwell’s SHAPE Forum. Their voices and ideas helped shape this exciting move.

Benefits for Everyone

Being a Child Friendly Borough isn’t just good for kids, but for the whole community! It helps foster social cohesion, diversity, sustainability, and innovation, making Sandwell a better place for everyone.

 

Hear From Our Leaders

Check out this video where Councillor Simon Hackett, Cabinet Member for Children, Young People and Education, and Ayyatulahi Adigun and Briony Alice Jones from the SHAPE Youth Forum talk about why this status is so important and share their experiences growing up in Sandwell.

 

A Message from the Council Leader

Councillor Kerrie Carmichael, Leader of Sandwell Council, says:

Sandwell Council has pledged that one of our priorities is that every child has the best possible childhood, regardless of where they live, how much their parents earn, their cultural heritage or their complex needs The challenges for children and young people post pandemic are greater now than ever. Putting children centre stage encourages a conversation about what the future for children and young people living in Sandwell should look like.

We already have much to be proud of. Current areas of good practice, including the SHAPE FORUM, Sandwell Play Service – Go Play Sandwell, Just Youth website, Poverty Proofing in schools, Corporate Parenting Programme, the Young People’s Corporate Plan, Your Voice – Sandwell Children’s Trust, 21st Century Child programme and the pilot school streets programme to name but a few.

 

What’s Next?

A Member Working Group will be overseeing Sandwell’s application process. They’ll help submit the Expression of Interest and make sure Sandwell is on the right track to becoming a Child Friendly Borough.

Stay tuned for more updates and join us in supporting Sandwell’s journey to becoming an even better place for our children and young people!