THE BOROUGH could be branded a UNICEF UK Child Friendly Community, as part of a new project.
At the start of this month, Wokingham Borough Council joined eight other areas in the UK to improve the way it works with and for children.
The programme is part of a global UNICEF initiative that reaches almost 30 million children in more than 40 countries.
Achieving the status can take three to five years, and involves creating an improvement plan.
Its priorities are agreed by children and young people, the council, and the wider community.
UNICEF UK said that the programme aims to change the way local government works with and for children, so children have a say in decisions that affect them, experience services that are designed with and for them, know what services are available to them, understand how to access and navigate often complex local systems, and feel safe and prioritised within their communities.
Cllr Graham Howe, executive member for children’s services said: “I am honoured and humbled that we have been successful in our bid to become a candidate UNICEF UK Child Friendly Community.
“UNICEF UK said our passion for giving the borough’s children and young people the best possible opportunities was the main reason for our acceptance.
“We have long been known as a great place for young families, so being able to further that commitment through our partnership with UNICEF UK will make our borough an even better place to live for our children and young people.”
Naomi Danquah, director of child friendly cities and communities at the UK Committee for UNICEF, said that she is delighted to welcome the borough to the programme.
“Determination and enthusiasm absolutely shone through Wokingham’s application,” she said. “We were particularly impressed by the council’s vision of Wokingham as a place where children and young people feel as listened to and respected as the borough’s adult residents.
“This partnership presents a unique opportunity to do just that – using children’s rights to transform how children and young people experience local services in Wokingham – and we’re excited to get this important work underway.”
For more information, email: youthvoice@wokingham.gov.uk.
