Leader’s Corner
22 August 2025 - Southampton: a city that young people can thrive in
As we look ahead to the start of the new school year, I am constantly reminded of Southampton’s commitment to supporting our young people and their families. In the last week, I’ve been out and about meeting local businesses and residents to hear about the challenges around keeping young people positively engaged in the community and how we can achieve our ambition to become a safer, more equal city. A city focused on growth and opportunity.
This city is all about creating opportunities for young people to thrive, whether through free citywide sporting sessions, encouraging exploration of our cycle paths and green spaces, taking part in the UK Shared Prosperity funded theatre sessions or enjoying our ‘Love Where You Live’ events. The next event takes place on 13 September at Coxford Community Hub and is another opportunity for young people to get active and connect with their community at no cost.
Our schools and colleges continue to inspire, providing the very best in learning, and yesterday young people completed another milestone on their journey to adulthood, receiving GCSE exam results and completing their enrolment at sixth form or colleges. With some students set to begin apprenticeships in the coming weeks, it’s fantastic to see how young people flourish when given access to the right activities and support. To the students who didn’t receive the results they hoped for, I encourage them to speak to the college or sixth form where they have a conditional offer and discuss the next steps, alternatively the Southampton City Council website also offers support that can be accessed by searching for ‘GCSE results’. By investing in their ambitions; whether in sport, creativity, or community action, we’re also investing in the future prosperity of Southampton. The skills and confidence they develop will fuel the city’s growth and innovation for years to come.
Alongside creating opportunities for young people is another of our key City Plan priorities, safety. Safety is the heart of everything we do to protect every resident, young and old. The Council works closely with Hampshire Police and local partners to respond to the challenges facing young people today. Initiatives like Operation Sceptre and our knife surrender bins help raise awareness, reduce risk, and support safe, anonymous reporting. We know that open conversations within families about issues like anti-social behaviour are vital and we actively support the campaign ‘Hampshire every action counts’ that helps parents and carers to do just that. Our Stronger Communities team is regularly out in neighbourhoods, listening to concerns and offering support.
I’m proud that Southampton stands at the forefront of efforts to reduce youth crime, with £200,000 in funding from the Office of Police and Crime Commissioner backing our ‘Focussed Deterrent’ project through to March 2026. Working alongside Durham University, our partnership is one of only three in the country, driving innovation to reduce risks for children and young people when out in the community. Local businesses play their part too, offering safe havens to anyone feeling anxious or at risk through the Safe Places scheme, just look for the ‘Safe Places’ sticker or download the app. These collaborations strengthen our city and ensure that every young person can enjoy Southampton safely.
But none of this happens in isolation. It takes all of us; residents, families and businesses to make Southampton a place where young people are safe, supported, and ready to achieve. I encourage everyone to play their part.
If you have concerns about crime or welfare, report it by calling Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. Together, we’re building a stronger, safer city for our children and young people—now, and for generations ahead.