Great Childhoods Ambition: celebrating one year of supporting Barnsley’s children and young people

We’re celebrating one year of our Great Childhoods Ambition, a programme that’s improving the lives and futures of our children and young people.

Over the past 12 months, the programme has already made a powerful impact for children and young people across the borough, providing a range of experiences and learning opportunities to help give them the best start in life and adulthood.

Among its most impactful achievements, the Barnsley MiCard has enabled over 1 million free bus journeys, helping young people to become more independent and connect with friends, family, and the many opportunities available across our borough and South Yorkshire.

Over 33,600 school uniform vouchers were issued last year, helping to remove barriers to school attendance while saving families money. Meanwhile, 3,000 Year 11 students were provided with study support packs, equipping them with the tools they to succeed.

Opportunities to participate and develop new skills have also been a focus of the programme.

The Ambition Arena saw six groups of young people pitch a variety of fun-filled activities and projects, with four groups each awarded £3,000 to bring their pitches to life and deliver a series of exciting events this summer.

The first-ever Barnsley Digital Symposium welcomed over 400 students from Barnsley College, who took part in workshops and sessions led by over 20 industry leaders, helping to inspire the next generation of digital talent.

Alongside these key milestones, thousands of children and young people have benefitted from a wide range of activities, events, and support. These include:

• 6,745 places booked across 93 free summer activities
• 8,148 pupils participating in Barnsley Youth Choir workshops, with plans to reach 16,000 children
• Over 3,000 children taking part in STEM workshops across 17 schools
• 75% of secondary schools engaging with the Grassroots physical activity programme
• 6,977 free memberships to Base71 Youth Zone
• 14 schools joining the Children’s University initiative
• Over 50% of secondary schools receiving Loudmouth safeguarding workshops
• Into Games Waypoint workshops scheduled with 6 secondary schools, inspiring digital careers
• 14 community projects supported through the Community Development Fund
• 55 pupils from ten schools joined the first Primary Poetry Slam, performing for an audience of over 150 people
• 30 Year 10 students worked with industry partners to design a STEM workshop at North Star Science School.

It’s been a fantastic year for the Great Childhoods Ambition, and we’re looking forward to marking one year of the programme with a free event on Saturday 28 March in the Glass Works Square. Taking place from 10am to 4pm, the event will bring together local organisations, community groups and partners for a free fun‑filled day of activities, performances and hands‑on experiences designed for children and young people of all ages.

Councillor Ashley Peace, Cabinet Spokesperson for Children’s Services, said:

“Over the past year, the Great Childhoods Ambition has made a real difference to the lives of children and families across Barnsley.

“From support like free travel and school uniforms to inspiring opportunities in STEM, the arts, and digital skills, I’m really proud of the work we’ve done over the past year to help children and young people reach their full potential.”

You can find out more about the Great Childhoods Ambition at barnsley.gov.uk/GreatChildhoods.