The new strategy, titled 'Somewhere to go and somewhere to grow', sets out a clear vision for improving the lives of young people aged 11 to 25 by ensuring they have access to high-quality, inclusive and accessible youth work opportunities across Cardiff.
Key focus of the strategy
At its core, the strategy focusses on delivering a consistent, city-wide approach to youth work, combining school-based support with provision in community settings such as youth centres and outreach services.
A central priority is ensuring that youth work remains visible, accessible and responsive to young people's needs, particularly outside of school hours, including evenings, weekends and holidays.
The strategy sets out a series of key priorities, including:
- Participation and ensuring young people's voices influence services.
- Inclusion, particularly for vulnerable and marginalised groups.
- Strengthening Welsh language provision.
- Delivering targeted support where it was needed most.
- Safeguarding and wellbeing.
- Workforce development.
- Partnership working across services and organisations.
These priorities have been shaped directly by engagement with young people, alongside input from partners and stakeholders, ensuring the strategy reflected real experiences, needs and aspirations.
The approach also aligns with national expectations, with the Welsh Government requiring all local authorities to develop a five-year youth work strategic plan focused on collaboration and high-quality delivery.
Find out more about Cardiff's Youth Work Strategy.
