Children, young people and families encouraged to have fun and share their views at Shropshire Council’s Big Listen

On Wednesday 5 (the National Day of Play) and Wednesday 12 August (International Youth Day), Shropshire Council community and family hubs will take part in The Big Listen and host two days of fun, free activities and events, while asking children, young people and families to share their feedback and help shape children’s services in Shropshire.

Activity highlights include sports at The Lantern in Shrewsbury and The Halo Severn Centre in Highley on both days (sports vary across sites, see website for details) and craft activities including making a magic wand and creating a nature collage at Oswestry Library on 5 August and Helena Lane Community Centre on 12 August.

As well as enjoying some summer holiday fun, families who take part will be encouraged to share their views and experiences of services for children, young people and families. The council wants to hear directly from residents about what works well and the challenges families face. The feedback gathered will be used to help shape future provision and ensure that decisions about services to support children, young people and families are informed by the views of the people who use them.

Councillor Sarah Marston, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member for communities and environment, said:

“Shropshire Council staff and our partners are looking forward to The Big Listen and talking to local children, young people, families and carers about what they need and want from children’s services. It is important for residents to make their voices heard, either at the events or online. Every view is important and will contribute to shaping better outcomes for children, young people and families across Shropshire, so we hope lots of people will take the opportunity to take part.”

Big Listen events and activities will vary at locations. For event listings click here or go to The Shropshire Local Offer website and search #BigListen.

Anyone unable to attend the events on 5 and 12 August but would like to share their views can complete an online survey here, available from now until 31 August.

The Big Listen is part of a long-term engagement and participation programme that will continue to gather local people’s views as part of the transformation of children’s services at Shropshire Council approved by Cabinet on 10 June. The transformation programme, which reflects changes to government statutory requirements affecting children’s services nationwide, will affect services for children aged 0 to 18 as well as young adults with SEND up to age 25.

The aim of the changes is to make it easier for families to access the support they need, when and where they need it, ensuring help is available at an earlier stage and delivered through closer collaboration between local services.