Aims and Objectives

To represent, support and strengthen the voluntary and community sector (VCS) groups working with children, young people and families in the Wakefield Metropolitan District to enable children, young people and families play their full part in society

Young Lives Vision
Young Lives is committed to the enhancement and enrichment of the lives of children, young people and families and will strive to ensure that organisations within the Wakefield Metropolitan District are supported to fulfil this commitment effectively

The main objectives of Young Lives are:
To support voluntary and community sector organisations working with children, young people and families in the Wakefield District

To actively promote the development and delivery of high quality work with children, young people and families

To assist voluntary and community organisations to enable children, young people and families to have positive influences on the things that affect their lives

To work alongside voluntary and community organisations to develop volunteering opportunities throughout the Wakefield Metropolitan District

To encourage partnership working at all levels and across all agencies

To actively advocate the development of opportunities for children, young people and families and support the increase in provision of services throughout the Wakefield Metropolitan District through identified need

To develop and promote training and support as may be necessary for organisations to fulfil their legal obligations for working with children, young people and families. Including safeguarding and ensuring groups have access to CRB checks locally

To influence and provide a voice at a strategic level for the VCS supporting children, young people and families by identifying gaps in services and take forward the identified need by VCS groups through participation and lobbing Public Service Bodies

To celebrate, promote and market the unique contribution the VCS makes to children, young people and families within the district to the different partners

To promote amongst all partners best practice and national guidance for example Every Disabled Child Matters to promote positive change for children, young people and families

The major areas of activity are:

Supporting organisations that improve the lives if children, young people and families

Facilitating the active involvement of groups, children, young people and families to influence change in strategic and operational matters through member organisations participation

Assisting to shape local services by proactively identifying the needs presented by VCS partners and lobbying the appropriate public service providers for the benefit of children, young people and families