Background

We need to ensure children, young people and families in Bridgend, Merthyr Tydfil  and Rhondda Cynon Taf live safe, healthy and fulfilled lives and that they can achieve their full potential.

We want to understand what matters to children and young people living in our region, and what actions need to be taken to improve services and support.

Key findings from the hack-a-thon

People with lived experiences and professionals must work together to drive meaningful change.

During our hack-a-thon for children and young people, we split everyone into groups to look at:

• Jobs and skills
• Community spaces and safety
• Mental health
• Access to fun
• Behaviour and support

Below we have shared some of the key findings from the hack-a-thon.

How can services be improved?

In summary, children and young people would like to see:

• Awareness of employment rights, and more supportive employment opportunities with flexibility to meet needs and wants in relation to career paths
• Targeted campaigns for youth employment with easier application processes, less stringent experience requirements, and more opportunities for skilled based learning
• All communication to be presented in simple, accessible and child friendly formats
• Social prescribing to be offered as an alternative to traditional medication e.g. mediation/ walking groups – and for these options to be readily available
• Improved transport infrastructure that makes travel across the region more accessible and safe for children and young people to use
• Exploration of the use and benefits of the arts as a source of support and expression for children and young people
• Better financial support for families and young people to ensure all basic needs are adequately met, to reduce the adverse effects that they may experience as a result of poverty, especially in relation to digital inclusion
• National and regional help that is driven by local priorities, developed through a range of innovative and dynamic engagement opportunities with children, young people, families and professionals
• Increased education and awareness for professionals around children and young people’s mental health priorities and support