What do Nottingham’s children and young people have to say?

The first part of our Child Friendly City journey was the ‘Discovery Phase’. During 2022 and 2023 we formed focus groups in schools and local communities. We joined in partnership with the Nottingham chapter of Citizens UK, paying close attention to their Young People’s Manifesto and the views of over 8,000 young people.

We spoke to over 2,000 children and young people of all ages, as well as their parents and carers. We engaged with the under 5s and their parents or carers through Small Steps Big Changes, visited primary schools, secondary schools, colleges and alternative education providers as well as local youth sessions and Holiday Activity Fund groups.

We held discussions with the Nottingham Primary Parliament and the Nottingham Youth Cabinet. Listening to children and young people helped us to understand the things that are important to them.

We held a Discovery Day attended by children from nine different primary schools, who took part in activities to think about our city. Some things that our children and young people said that they would like to see in the future:

Every child feels valued, connected and loved.

Every child is able to be creative and express themselves.
A kind, enjoyable city to live in, where everyone belongs.
Every child feels safer and happier.
Children having the opportunity to have their voices heard.
Less litter – in the city and its big parks.
Better free sports activities.
More parks! And more accessible girl-friendly play spaces.
A trusted adult looking after us.
Every child feels able to trust the police and officials; more police coming into schools.
Free and affordable services.
A clean healthy environment with fewer petrol cars in neighbourhoods and more electric vehicles.
Better mental health services with shorter waiting times.
More places to enjoy being a child.

The children and young people who took part in these activities chose three badges (themes or priorities) from a selection offered by UNICEF UK.