Month: December 2024

Hey everyone! It’s Grace here, your friendly neighbourhood youth councillor, and also a member of the Community and Adult Services Scrutiny Committee (CASSC). Last Monday, I had the chance to visit two really interesting housing development sites with some members of CASSC and it was a real eye opener! I was really pleased that I was able to go along with Carey from the Child Friendly City team, it made me feel more confident about visiting these sites. Here’s the lowdown on what I saw:

First Stop: Leckwith Road Community Living Scheme

Our first stop was the Leckwith Road Community Living Scheme in Canton

1. It’s being built to provide 41 fully accessible one and two-bedroom homes for older people, with the goal of helping them live independently
2. It’s not just flats though! There’ll be communal spaces to help everyone socialise, as well as a medical room and landscaped community gardens
3. The building is designed to be energy efficient with underfloor heating and ground source heat pumps. They actually drilled down 200 meters to get warm water from underground to use in the underfloor heating!

We had to wear hard hats and high-vis jackets and, because it is a building site, it was important to wear sturdy boots. Some people who didn’t have boots were able to borrow some from the contractors on site. The development looked amazing, the concrete frame is up and the roofing is underway! It’s also great that the community centre is being re-provided and the multi-use games area (MUGA) is being moved within the development.

It’s also in a great location in the heart of Canton, with the high street and local shops and services just a walk away. It’s really well served by Cardiff buses too!

Next Up: Maple Fields in Llanrumney

Next, we went to Maple Fields, which is located on the site of the former Llanrumney High School. This development is completely different to Leckwith Road – it’s all about family homes, with a mix of two, three, four, and five-bedroom houses, including detached, semi-detached, and townhouses.

This development feels really inclusive and has lots of green spaces. The area is designed around tree-lined avenues and open areas which will be great for children and families. Maple Fields is meant to be about more than just housing, it’s about building a real community. It’s also great for getting around – there are local bus routes and it’s not too far to walk to local amenities, plus, the M4 is nearby for travel further afield.

Final Thoughts

It was super interesting to see the different types of housing being built in Cardiff…. Both developments are really different, but they’re both so important for our city. The Leckwith Road site is focused on supporting older people with independent living, while Maple Fields is all about creating a family-friendly neighbourhood. I was really pleased to be there, and learn more about the ways that Cardiff council is trying to create good quality homes that are sustainable and fit for the future.

If you’ve got any questions, or want to know more, feel free to comment below or get in touch with me or the Youth Council!

November 2024 saw an exceptional month for youth participation in Cardiff, with 274 children and young people engaging in 10 structured opportunities, and contributing an incredible 1,059 volunteer hours. From international youth voice to local decision-making, young people continued to demonstrate leadership, creativity, and commitment to shaping a more child friendly Cardiff.

Key highlights from the month included:

• A Cardiff Youth Council (CYC) General Meeting, Executive Meeting, and a dedicated Executive Development Day, strengthening leadership and collaboration across the council’s youth representatives.
• A Member of Youth Parliament (MYP) preparatory session ahead of an international visit, followed by a two-day residential to Stuttgart, where Cardiff’s two MYPs, Ffion and Aoife, represented the city in cross-cultural dialogue on youth participation and social action.
• Meetings of the CYC Media Group, the Task and Finish Group, and several Scrutiny sessions, enabling young people to contribute to policy discussions and challenge decision-making from a child rights perspective.
• An Equalities Officer meeting, continuing Cardiff’s efforts to ensure inclusion and equity are central to youth engagement.

A standout moment in November was a high-impact event at Techniquest, where over 200 primary-aged children gathered to take part in the launch of Cardiff’s Under 11 Social Action Toolkit. Delivered by Child Friendly Cardiff, and supported by members of CYC, the event not only introduced the toolkit but actively engaged children in committing to take the work back into their own schools and communities. You can read more here Social Action at Techniquest – Cardiff Youth Council

“This month shows exactly what happens when you trust young people with real responsibility and platform their voices,” said a representative from Cardiff Youth Council. “From local scrutiny to international youth dialogue, we are not only participating—we are leading.”

Cardiff remains proud of its status as the UK’s first UNICEF Child Friendly City, and continues to ensure that children and young people’s right to participate—enshrined in Article 12 of the UNCRC—is embedded in practice.

Hello readers! We’re Aoife Williams and Ffion Corcoran, members of the Cardiff Youth Council (CYC) and proud Members of the UK Youth Parliament (MYPs). Recently, we had the fantastic opportunity to represent Cardiff in Stuttgart at the Youth Exchange Sister Cities Meeting 2024, and we’re thrilled to share the highlights of our journey.

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Setting Off to Stuttgart

Our trip began early on 27th November with a sense of excitement and anticipation. After travelling from Cardiff to Bristol Airport, we flew to Stuttgart, ready to immerse ourselves in the exchange programme. On arrival, we headed straight to our accommodation at the Maritim Hotel to settle in before diving into the official itinerary.

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A Warm Welcome and Festive Start

The programme kicked off with a welcome reception at Stuttgart City Hall, where we were introduced to other young delegates and city representatives. The atmosphere was buzzing with energy and enthusiasm for the days ahead. The evening ended on a festive note with a visit to the city’s famous Christmas Market, where we soaked up the warm and vibrant atmosphere, sampling traditional treats and enjoying the cultural experience.

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Day Two: Exploring Sustainability in Stuttgart

Thursday was all about learning how Stuttgart is addressing sustainability and climate adaptation. We visited Stadtwerke Stuttgart to explore their innovative energy solutions and later toured Neckarpark, a leading example of climate adaptation in urban planning. This hands-on experience provided valuable insights into how cities can respond to climate challenges creatively and effectively.

We also took time to enjoy the city’s culinary delights, including lunch at a local burger restaurant, which added a relaxed and social element to the day. The evening wrapped up with a reception at the International Youth Hostel, where we reflected on the day’s activities and connected with other delegates.

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Day Three: Climate Justice and Global Collaboration

Friday focused on climate justice and the importance of international partnerships. We attended a workshop at Stuttgart City Hall led by the Federal State Institute for Political Education. The discussions were thought-provoking and centred on how young people can influence policy and action in tackling climate change.

In the afternoon, we attended a special event celebrating Stuttgart’s sister city relationships. This was a powerful reminder of how global connections can foster shared solutions to pressing issues like climate change.

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Bringing It All Back Home

Our trip to Stuttgart was a whirlwind of learning, collaboration, and cultural exchange. From sustainability initiatives to discussions on climate justice, the experience deepened our understanding of how cities can work together to create a brighter future.

We’re excited to bring these lessons back to Cardiff and use them to inform our work with Cardiff Youth Council. This exchange was a brilliant reminder of the power of young people in shaping the future, and we can’t wait to share more of what we’ve learned in the months ahead!

Thank you for following our journey – stay tuned for more updates! 🌍✨