Liverpool has reached a milestone in its ambition to become the first Unicef Child-Friendly City in the North West.

In November, following work with partner agencies and young people, the city council submitted a bid to the global children’s organisation which cemented its intentions to put young people at the heart of everything it does.

Today (Thursday 7 March), Unicef UK has officially accepted the bid.

Hundreds of children and young people from schools, clubs and youth groups across Liverpool came together to deliver a range of dramatic performances at the Epstein Theatre, exploring the subject of ‘Rise Up – Adverse Childhood Experience (ACE) and Resilience.’

Liverpool has been chosen as one of 25 sites to become a trailblazer for mental health support in schools.

This exciting opportunity will further develop the partnership working that is currently taking place between Education, Local Authority, CCG and  Liverpool CAMHS Partnership. The additional capacity and funding this trailblazer will bring to the city will ensure children and young people and families are accessing support at the earliest of opportunities and more specialist provision when needed. 

A former church site has been transformed into a state of the art health, social care and mental health training academy and Life Rooms – in a partnership between Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust and Hugh Baird College.

On Wednesday 12^th December, the SMARTYS group at YPAS North Hub were the audience for the first-ever YPAS Christmas Panto during their Christmas themed session. The show was entirely written and performed by YPAS members of staff and proved a hit with the young people and families.

Between August and November, a group of young people have been working with the RAISE Team to deliver three separate projects to raise awareness of mental health and make a positive contribution to their community.

The Fresh+ parent and carer team are inviting parent/carer participation groups to come together with service leads, commissioners and other national influencers for a day of learning but also action.

On 10th October, World Mental Health Day this year YPAS was visited by Charlie Craggs, an award-winning Trans activist, icon and ally to THE Action Youth. Charlie visited our group on World Mental Health day to share her journey from a young person struggling with her mental health to award-winning activist, novelist, campaigner and collaborator with some of the biggest brands in fashion and beauty in the UK.