Youth Strategy

The past few years have been some of the most challenging in living memory for our young people. The long shadow of the COVID-19 pandemic has left lasting impacts on mental health, education, employment, and social connection. As a borough, we have seen first-hand how these pressures have deepened inequalities and disrupted the pathways that should lead every young person to a thriving future.

This Youth Strategy is our collective response, a bold and inclusive vision shaped by the voices of young people themselves. It sets out our ambition to build a youth sector that is resilient, responsive, and rooted in partnership. At its heart is a simple but powerful commitment: to put young people first. Whether through safe spaces, better access to opportunities, or stronger youth voice in decision-making, we are determined to ensure that every young person in Cheshire West and Chester feels heard, supported, and inspired.

But this strategy is more than a document, it is a call to action. It reflects our belief that young people are not just the future; they are the present. Their ideas, energy, and lived experiences must shape the services and systems that affect them. We are committed to working alongside them, not just as beneficiaries, but as equal partners in designing and delivering change.
We recognise that the challenges facing young people are complex and evolving. That’s why this strategy is built on collaboration, with schools, voluntary organisations, health services, families, and most importantly, young people themselves. It is underpinned by evidence, guided by compassion, and driven by a shared determination to create a borough where every young person can thrive regardless of their background or circumstances.

Together, we will create a future where young people are not just recipients of services, but co-creators of change. We will invest in their potential, amplify their voices, and ensure that their wellbeing, aspirations, and rights are at the centre of everything we do.

This is our promise to the young people of Cheshire West and Chester: we see you, we hear you, and we are with you, every step of the way.

- Cllr Adam Langan