Young people in Preston help design new strategy for youth in the city

Young people from Preston who have helped to design the city’s youth strategy

Councillors have approved the new Preston Youth Strategy for young people for 2025-2035.

This collective strategy sets out a vision to improve opportunities, support, and services for people aged 8-25 across the city.

Through a Preston Youth Forum, young people identified their top concerns as vaping, drug and alcohol misuse as well as the need for more affordable activities, and better and cheaper transport.

The research shows that young people need better access to career opportunities and, 43% feel there aren’t enough employment, career or education opportunities.

Blog Preston went to meet some of the young people involved in creating the youth strategy during one of their sessions in September last year.

Councillor Zafar Coupland, Cabinet Member for Health & Wellbeing said: “By working together with local services and listening to young voices, we are creating a city where every young person can succeed.”

It will be implemented through established local partnerships, including the Preston Community Safety Partnership, and the Lancashire Skills & Enterprise Strategic Framework.

Cath Coffey, senior youth and community manager and soon to be chief executive of The Foxton said: “We are excited for the next steps in bringing the strategy to life with young people’s voices at the heart and creating real change.”

The full youth strategy can be seen on the city council website.

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