Author: Cardiff Youth Council

Cardiff’s children and young people have started 2025 as they mean to go on—actively shaping decisions, sharing their views, and working together to improve their city. In January 2025, there were 8 structured participation opportunities, with 51 young people volunteering a total of 155 hours of their time to engage with decision-makers, influence policy, and represent the voices of their peers.

Young people took part in a range of meetings and forums throughout the month, including:

• A Cardiff Youth Council (CYC) General Meeting and CYC Executive Meeting, continuing to drive forward youth-led priorities;
• A Member of Youth Parliament (MYP) Meeting, supporting young people’s representation at a national level;
• An Executive Development Day, providing space for reflection, skills-building, and forward planning among CYC leaders;
• Meetings of the CYC Media Group and the Task and Finish Group, where young people shaped communication strategies and explored focused policy themes;
• A series of Scrutiny Committee meetings, where young people played a role in holding the local authority to account and ensuring children’s rights are considered in strategic decision-making.

“It’s brilliant to see young people continuing to contribute their time and insight so early in the year,” said a spokesperson for Child Friendly Cardiff. “From strategic scrutiny to creative media work, their influence is felt across the city.”

These activities continue to deliver on Cardiff’s commitment to being a UNICEF Child Friendly City, embedding the principles of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) into how the city listens to, respects, and responds to children and young people.

Cardiff Youth Council (CYC) members teamed up with academics from Bristol and Cardiff Universities to work on an active travel project.

Who Was Involved? Aoife Williams, Efa Thomas, Martha Lewis, Megan O’Neill, Rahma Mohamed, and Steffan Raynor Owen from CYC worked with Dr Hannah Littlecott and Dr Kelly Morgan23.

What’s It About? The project is all about active travel, like walking and cycling instead of driving. The goal is to make communities healthier and more eco-friendly.

CYC’s Role: CYC members gave their opinions on how data should be collected to make sure the research works for the community. They shared lots of ideas, showing why it’s important to get young people involved in research that affects them.

Real Impact: CYC’s participation helped shape the research and make sure the project meets the needs of people who will be involved in the study. Their contributions were key in securing a £1.3 million grant from the National Institute of Health Research for the project.

Why it matters: The researchers listened to CYC’s feedback which helped them improve their research plan.

Future: CYC will continue to push for healthier and more sustainable communities in Cardiff.

This collaboration highlights how young people can make a real difference in research and policy.

While December is often a quieter month, children and young people in Cardiff continued to show their commitment to civic life, taking part in 8 participatory opportunities and contributing 137 volunteer hours across a range of meetings, consultations and site visits.

A total of 55 young people took part in shaping local and national agendas, with activity highlights including:

• A Cardiff Youth Council (CYC) General Meeting and Executive Meeting, maintaining momentum on youth-led campaigns and priorities;
• A Member of Youth Parliament (MYP) Executive Development Day, supporting the leadership growth of young elected representatives;
• A meeting of the Cardiff Commitment Senior Leadership Group, where CYC member Arthur represented the views of young people and fed into senior discussions on education and skills;
• A consultation with Welsh Government on the proposed new statutory framework for youth work in Wales, with CYC members contributing their insights and lived experience as part of this important national conversation.

December also saw excellent youth involvement in scrutiny and accountability. CYC member Grace, who currently serves as the stand-in youth representative on Cardiff’s Adult and Communities Scrutiny Committee, undertook two construction site visits as part of her role—ensuring the perspectives of young people are considered in housing and community development.

You can read more about Grace’s experience and reflections on the site visits here: Grace’s Housing Development Site Visits – Cardiff Youth Council

“Even in a month that’s typically slower for engagement, young people in Cardiff continue to step up, provide valuable insight, and shape decisions that impact them and their communities,” said a spokesperson from Child Friendly Cardiff.

These activities contribute to Cardiff’s ongoing work as the UK’s first UNICEF Child Friendly City, ensuring that children’s rights—especially the right to be heard—are embedded in the decisions that shape the city.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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! 🌍✨

Cardiff Youth Council (CYC) helped to run a social action event at Techniquest, empowering young people to identify issues and create positive change in their communities.

The event began with an introduction to the “How to change the world” toolkit, explaining social action with examples like uniform swap shops, tree planting, protests, and writing to the council. The young people then discussed why their voices are important and should be listened to by adults, highlighting children’s rights and the responsibility of adults to listen to them.

The young people then identified issues they cared about, discussing how these issues made them feel and why they cared. They then used the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) to explore which rights weren’t being protected. They also discussed what an ideal world would look like.

The groups then drew problem trees, with the problem at the centre, the causes as roots, and the effects as the leaves, which helped them build a case for change. Following that, the young people changed their problems into a vision for the future, turned the causes into positives, and considered the benefits of their vision.

Here are some examples of issues and solutions that were discussed at the event:

• Litter was a key concern, with schools envisioning a clean world and proposing solutions such as more bins, community litter picks and educating people.

• Mental health was highlighted as an issue, with one school wanting a happier place where everyone can get care. They suggested more places for mental health support, training in schools and more funding.

• Racism was a focus for some, with the ideal being a world without racism. They proposed fair and good education, people being heard and having a voice, and equal opportunities.

• Safety was a concern for one school with regards to rivers, and they wanted cleaner, healthier rivers. Another school wanted safer roads with less traffic and pollution, suggesting CCTV, lighting and speaking to the council.

• Play spaces were seen as lacking by one school, and they wanted free playgrounds in every corner. They suggested making parks more fun, and raising money for parks.

• Poverty was identified by one school, with a vision of a world where everyone can overcome poverty. They wanted everyone to have access to enough food and housing and suggested more jobs for all.

The groups then hung their trees on a washing line and moved onto planning their next steps, using the toolkit and following “Gwenno’s journey” to bring their ideas to life. They created an advocacy plan and filled in postcard pledges which will be sent to their headteachers.

The event was a day of collaboration and empowerment, and CYC were proud to be a part of amplifying the voices of young people across Cardiff.

For the past 5 years, I have worked tirelessly within CYC to make a positive change for the youth of Cardiff. From occasionally contributing to subcommittee discussions to now as an outgoing MYP, scrutineer, and Vice-Chair entering university life, having volunteered Over 260 hours with CYC alone. Cardiff Youth Service, Child Friendly Cardiff and the wider council have offered me so many opportunities over the years; it would sadly be impossible to list all the wonderful adventures and people I have met within the scope of a blog post- perhaps when I next return to Cardiff!

Long-time members will know that I was never quite shy, but there is no denying that CYC has significantly improved my communication skills; I believe that CYC’s opportunities have made me a much more articulate and sociable person. Similarly, CYC encouraged me to leave my comfort zone which, especially as a teenager during the Covid-19 pandemic, was incredibly important- CYC has sent me to new environments, to explore cultures, and to see worlds beyond Cardiff. Across countless interviews, the opportunities to explore new horizons were consistently presented as one of the youth council’s biggest offer. CYC truly gives both new life skills but also life experiences, and, regardless of volunteering’s selfless nature, there is no denying that everything you do within CYC appeals to future employers, to the community, and to everyone you meet; even connecting you with like-minded individuals. Through CYC, I have even had the opportunity to make history: representing CYC at the Festival of Remembrance for the late Queen Elizabeth II.

These points were perhaps somewhat clear; speaking to changemakers will obviously influence your ability to influence change itself. One thing I did not expect was the broadening of my understanding of society and the world. Through CYC’s subcommittees, I have worked on issues from the cost-of-living crisis to the environment, from city planning to the importance of women’s health. Due to globalisation, we live in a shrinking world; however, as we become disconnected it feels like we live within a growing locality. CYC has helped me to understand the true issues affecting citizens of Cardiff and the globe in a hands-on way which are not taught in the classroom.

Of course, there are things I would have done differently- at times, we have attempted to fix the world rather than effectively solve smaller, local issues. Sometimes, there is a vital need to recognise the limitations of funding and restrictions of local government processes- bureaucracy does not favour quick change. This is why I feel the new model for presenting issues to CYC is so particularly fascinating, it focuses on local issues and the true local impact CYC can make.

CYC has several set traditions, but perhaps one of the most significant is reiterating the phrase that “you get out of it what you put in”. It is, of course, completely true- whilst the support of the incredible staff and members is crucial, it is your individual commitment and passion that drives change. CYC relies on its members for everything; the future of Cardiff and beyond relies on it. Whitman famously said, “That the powerful play goes on, and you may contribute a verse.” I have greatly enjoyed my contributions (which at times have felt more like paragraphs than verses), but I now sincerely look forward to the verses of future youth councillors. CYC offers you so much, I implore you to take as much from it as you possibly can. 5 years goes by awfully fast.

Children and young people across Cardiff continue to play an active role in shaping their city, with 10 participatory opportunities delivered throughout October 2024. Although a smaller group took part this month, 17 dedicated young people volunteered a total of 53 hours, contributing their views, ideas and lived experience to influence decision-making in Cardiff and beyond.

Activities this month included:

• A Cardiff Youth Council (CYC) General Meeting and a CYC Executive Meeting, ensuring the youth voice remains central to citywide policy conversations;
• Participation in the UK Youth Parliament Annual Conference at Warwick University, where young people from Cardiff joined peers from across the UK to debate national issues and share best practice in youth democracy;
• An Equality Officer Meeting, contributing to efforts to make Cardiff a more inclusive city for all children and young people;
• A session of the Task and Finish Group, supporting focused input into the development of policy and practice in line with young people’s priorities.

These opportunities form part of Cardiff’s wider commitment to being a UNICEF Child Friendly City, where children and young people’s participation is not just encouraged but embedded in how decisions are made. Their involvement supports Cardiff’s ambition to ensure children’s rights—especially their right to be heard—are realised in practice.

“Participation is about more than just turning up. It’s about shaping the city we live in. Every voice adds value, and this month’s contributions have once again shown the power of listening to children and young people,” said a representative from Child Friendly Cardiff.

Even when numbers are smaller, the impact of youth voice remains significant. Cardiff Council continues to thank and recognise all young people who take the time to share their perspectives and drive change in their communities.