A local council has announced a bold new youth strategy after several months of consultation with people who have not been young since the introduction of the debit card.
The 42-page plan, titled “Young People: A Vision For Tomorrow’s Communities Today”, was unveiled on Tuesday morning and promises to tackle youth disengagement through a mixture of “dynamic listening exercises”, “safe community spaces” and a new mural near the bus station.
Council officials said the strategy had been carefully designed to reflect the real concerns of young people, despite no young people being present at any stage of the design process.
“We wanted to create something that really speaks to the next generation,” said one councillor, standing beside a pull-up banner featuring three stock photos of teenagers laughing at a salad.
“That’s why we’ve focused on the things young people care about most: employability workshops, responsible social media use, and having somewhere colourful to stand near.”
The plan also includes a proposal for a new youth engagement survey, which will be promoted through a QR code printed on leaflets available inside the town hall between 10am and 2pm on weekdays.
Council leaders described the survey as “highly accessible”, provided young people are free during office hours, already know the town hall exists, and are comfortable walking past three separate reception desks to ask where the leaflets are kept.
The strategy has been welcomed by local stakeholders, including business owners, committee members and one retired headteacher who said young people “just need something to do that isn’t vaping or being online”.
However, some residents have questioned whether the plan goes far enough.
One 19-year-old, who discovered the youth strategy after being tagged in a screenshot of it by their mum, said: “I don’t really know what any of it means, but I’m glad the mural is happening, I suppose.”
The council has confirmed that the mural will feature the words “Our Future” in a font described as “urban but still readable to donors”.
A spokesperson added that phase two of the strategy may involve asking actual young people what they think, subject to funding, availability, and whether anyone can remember the password to the council Instagram account.
The Public Edit 