Investment helping create more opportunities for young people across Wiltshire and Swindon

More young people across Wiltshire and Swindon are benefiting from access to support, activities and opportunities thanks to continued investment in the Wiltshire and Swindon Youth Partnership. 

The partnership, hosted by Wiltshire & Swindon Community Foundation and supported by Wiltshire Council and the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner, brings together organisations working with young people across the county.

Over the last year, the partnership has focused on strengthening youth services, supporting staff and volunteers, improving access to training and helping organisations work more effectively together. 

Organisations involved in the partnership report that between them they support more than 25,000 young people each year across Wiltshire and Swindon.

The partnership has expanded training opportunities for youth workers, introduced local professional qualifications, supported workforce development and created new opportunities for organisations to share knowledge and collaborate. Work is also underway to build a clearer picture of youth provision across the county, helping to identify need, improve coordination and inform future investment. 

New initiatives are also supporting the next generation of community leaders. A Young Leaders programme will help young people develop confidence and leadership skills, while work to recruit and support more adult volunteers will strengthen the organisations that many young people rely on every day.

Police and Crime Commissioner Philip Wilkinson said: "Investing in young people is one of the most important things we can do if we want safer communities in the future.

"Prevention of crime sits at the heart of my Police and Crime Plan. We know that early support, positive activities and trusted relationships can make a real difference to a young person's life. 

"A positive engagement with young people builds confidence, resilience and aspirations. It helps them make positive choices. It can also reduce the risk of young people becoming involved in crime, anti-social behaviour, violence or exploitation. 

"That is why I have invested in the Youth Partnership. This is not simply about supporting organisations. It is about making sure young people across Wiltshire and Swindon can access the help, opportunities and guidance they need to succeed. 

"The organisations involved are already doing excellent work in our communities. This investment is helping them reach more young people, develop their workforce and build stronger services for the future. 

"By supporting young people today, we are helping build stronger communities tomorrow."

Margaret Firth, Director of Partnerships at Wiltshire and Swindon Community Foundation said: “Youth work plays a vital role in helping young people build confidence, develop positive relationships and reach their potential. Across Wiltshire, organisations are doing incredible work, but many are facing increasing demand alongside ongoing challenges including funding, workforce development and recruiting volunteers. 

“The Youth Partnership is about bringing organisations together to build on each other’s strengths. We’re incredibly proud of what has been achieved by the Youth Partnership over the last year, and we look forward to continuing to work alongside our partners to strengthen youth work across the county and create even more opportunities for young people across Wiltshire and Swindon.”

Cllr Jon Hubbard, Wiltshire Council Cabinet Member for Children’s Services, said: “We are proud to work alongside and support the Wiltshire and Swindon Youth Partnership, and it’s nice to take a step back and reflect on all the great work that has been carried out by the fantastic community and voluntary-led groups across the county, which is making a real, long-term difference to young people in Wiltshire.

“Looking to the future, we’ve had exciting conversations with the Youth Partnership about how we can, working together, build on this success and the strong foundations already in place, and we’ll be sharing more information about this very soon. We look forward to continuing our positive collaboration.”  

The partnership will continue to expand its programme of support over the coming year, with further training opportunities, volunteer development schemes and leadership programmes planned.

The long-term aim is simple: to ensure more young people across Wiltshire and Swindon have access to the support, opportunities and positive relationships they need to succeed, while helping build safer, stronger and more resilient communities for the future.

Published Thursday 10 September 2026