April 2025 saw 92 children and young people take part in 9 engagement opportunities, dedicating a combined 149 volunteer hours to shaping Cardiff’s future. From influencing city-wide plans to contributing to local policy development, young people continued to play an active and meaningful role in civic life.
As ever, Cardiff Youth Council (CYC) remained central to this work, with members attending a General Meeting, an Executive Meeting, and several Scrutiny Committee sessions, where they ensured that young people’s voices were included in council decision-making.
This month also saw a specialist session with CYC focused on developing planning guidance for play in Cardiff—helping to embed children’s right to play within the city’s planning frameworks and future development plans. The session supports Cardiff’s ambition to be a city where children have access to safe, inclusive, and accessible spaces to play and socialise.
🏙️ Youth Voices in Long-Term City Planning
A highlight of the month was the Child Friendly Cardiff team’s visits to Llanishen and Fitzalan High Schools, where young people took part in interactive workshops on the city’s Replacement Local Development Plan (LDP). The LDP sets out how Cardiff will grow up to 2036, and the workshops gave young people a chance to explore the plan and share what matters most to them.
Their top priorities included:
- Affordable housing
- Better and cheaper public transport
- More green spaces and youth-friendly areas
- Improved mental health support
- Stronger action on climate change
This engagement not only deepened understanding of the LDP but also empowered participants to shape long-term planning decisions—demonstrating Cardiff’s continued commitment to being a UNICEF Child Friendly City, where young people’s voices are not only heard but acted upon.