Improving opportunities for children and young people in Aldershot and Farnborough is at the heart of Rushmoor Borough Council’s Young People’s Plan.
Members of the council’s Cabinet were asked to endorse the Rushmoor Young People's Plan (on Tuesday 15 September), which looks ahead to 2028 and sets out how the council will support young people to live, happy, healthy and rewarding lives.
The plan recognises the importance of young peoples’ voices in shaping the work of the council and valuing their contribution to the community and outlining what the council is doing to support and engage young people.
The plan builds on the first Young People's Plan (2025/26), which had an initial one-year focus. The updated plan was informed by consultation with local young people, colleges and partner organisations. Feedback showed that young people would like more places to go, where they feel safe and they also wanted support with finding work.
It also includes a range of projects to specifically support disadvantaged young people who often face the most challenges.
It is focused on four main priorities, including:
- Safety, trusted spaces and support – including initiatives such as the Think Safe initiative with local schools, which works with 1,000 year six pupils every year. Outreach work providing 121 support for young people.
- Health, resilience and active lives – encouraging young people to be physically active and adopt behaviours that are good for their health and wellbeing including initiatives such as the Balance, Glide and Ride scheme to get year one pupils cycling. This also includes the Be Active Hampshire programme where inactive young people (17+) can try 12-week activity courses for free.
- Aspirations, skills and employment – including the establishment of a Young Adults' Employment Hub, opening in November to support young people aged 16 to 24 with advice, training opportunities, wellbeing support and introductions to local employers.
- Belonging and community connection - by helping young people feel a strong sense of belonging, strengthening local partnerships and ensuring young people’s voices help to shape future service and activities.
Councillor Sophie Porter, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Healthy Communities and Active Lives at Rushmoor Borough Council said: “We want young people in Rushmoor to be heard, and the plan sets out our commitment to empowering young people and helping them to thrive. Shaped by the views of young people themselves as well as our partners and local services, it focuses on the priorities that matter most, including improving opportunities, supporting wellbeing, increasing safety and making sure that those facing barriers are not left behind.”
As part of the plan, the council will also continue funding for a social prescribing project with the charity, Vision4Youth which is helping young people facing challenges such as anxiety, low wellbeing and social isolation. Through personalised 121 support, young people build their confidence and connect to local services and opportunities that help them to thrive. In the last year, 28 young people have already benefited from this support.
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