Enjoyable employment and good homes found to be priorities for Salford young people

Feedback from a new project group has found that enjoyable employment and good housing are key priorities for young people in Salford.

The news comes after a local group of people spent a year exploring issues that affect both health and wellbeing of local children and young people in Salford.

Fundamental to all of the discussions is the need for stability and security, not least for children.

The group put forward specific proposals such as “better career pathways” and creating “good homes” to Salford Health and Wellbeing Board with hopes of systemic change.

Salford Health and Wellbeing Board has supported the proposals and requested design of the solutions with local people, so that they can then be included in local plans and strategies.

One person involved with the group, Adam, from Walkden said: “After dealing with many complications in my life, it’s so nice to share stuff as some of the people here have gone through the same as me. Salford needs to be better for the kids and that’s why I am doing this.”

The project was facilitated by Unlimited Potential, a community benefit group, and was commissioned on behalf of Salford Health and Wellbeing Board.

Another group member, Julia from Winton, said:  “This project is very important to me. As a child, not many people knew about my situation, and I felt that I had nowhere to turn to. I hope our ideas will help create good homes for children in Salford.”

Judd Skelton, assistant director for integrated commissioning at Salford City Council and NHS Greater Manchester Integrated Care, said: “Working with this group of young people has been a truly inspirational experience.

“It would be understandable if the barriers they have faced had made them disillusioned, but they are full of hope and passion and have channelled their experiences to shape what they think and what a good home and enjoyable work should look like.

“They have shown so much commitment and drive and are producing work that they have ownership of and will help create a better future and better outcomes for others.”