Child Friendly Herefordshire is a major long‑term partnership commitment to making the county a place where every child feels included, valued, happy, healthy and safe in their homes and communities.

The initiative places children’s voices at the heart of local decision‑making and unites partners to improve opportunities, wellbeing and support for children and young people across the county.

The launch event, at the Shell Store, Skylon Park, on Wednesday 4 March showcased the shared ambition behind Child Friendly Herefordshire and the energy already building across the partnership.

A key theme of the launch was amplifying the lived experiences of young people. The initiative aligns with ongoing work to develop a virtual youth forum, enabling 12 to 17‑year-olds from across Herefordshire to share ideas and perspectives and feedback directly with the Council to help shape the future of the county.

Tina Russell, Corporate Director of Children and Young People, confirmed that Child Friendly Herefordshire has been formally adopted by the Council and will underpin all future work with children and families.

Partners have committed to helping children and young people to:

• Feel included, valued, happy, healthy and safe in their homes and in their community as they grow up.
  
  
• Access good quality education, housing, sport, leisure and play facilities that enable them to thrive in their physical emotional, intellectual and social development, as they grow up to be young adults.
  
  
• Live in a county of a city, towns and villages that value them as children and young people, recognising they are our next generation and the people who will make Herefordshire the place people want to live and work.
  
  
• Access safe, welcoming spaces across the county where children and young people feel protected, valued and able to express themselves freely.

Tina Russell, said:

“Child Friendly Herefordshire means approaching all we do in a child‑centred way, seeking out the views of children and young people, listening to them, and making plans and decisions that help keep them happy, healthy and safe, now and in the future.”

Cllr Ivan Powell, Cabinet Member for Children and Young People, added:

“The launch of Child Friendly Herefordshire is a significant step forward in our shared commitment to giving every child the best possible start in life. Together, we are creating a county where every child feels safe, heard and supported.”

Claire King, Safeguarding Services Manager, Herefordshire and Worcestershire Health and Care NHS Trust, said:

“We are pleased to support the launch of Child Friendly Herefordshire. The initiative is a great opportunity for services to work together to support children and young people across the county.”

Detective Superintendent Leanne Lowe from West Mercia Police, added:

“It was a privilege to be part of the launch of Child Friendly Herefordshire. Ensuring that children have a meaningful voice, that we listen to them, and that we respond in a genuinely child‑centred way is incredibly important and fundamental to supporting their happiness and their health and safety.”