SUPPORTING young people in the area remains a key priority for Wellington Town Council as they are the town’s future.

Chief executive and town clerk Dave Farrow said in a report, which went before the council’s annual parish meeting on May 28, that the authority is keen to actively work with relevant parties so “meaningful youth provision” can be maintained in Wellington.

“In the past year we’ve worked with Court Fields School to begin to deliver a programme called Cradle to Career,” said Mr Farrow.

“This model of working recognises that improved educational outcomes and career opportunities for young people can only be achieved with a whole community approach starting from pre-birth through to post-16 education and employment opportunities.

“The council has provided funding to support the implementation of the project covering training and other costs and has set aside funding in 2025-26 to support the delivery of projects.”

Mr Farrow said: “Wellington is unique in that it is the only town where this project is being delivered where the town council is a key delivery partner.”

His report outlined that a Children and Young People’s Plan was being developed which will sit alongside the Cradle to Career programme - setting out the priorities for youth provision in the town and how they will be delivered.

Mr Farrow said the former Kings Arms in the High Street would soon become a hub for youth provision in Wellington, but added that the council also recognised the value of outreach youth work in the town.

A Civic Award Scheme has been run this year with Year Five students from Beech Grove Primary School, Rockwell Green Primary School and St John’s Primary School. This year is the first outing of a newly created Civic Award, designed to try and take pressure off teachers.

“While St John’s in particular have done a lot of work towards this, it has been raised that many pupils are struggling to complete the Civic Award as it is intended to be completed independently outside of school time,” explained Mr Farrow.

“For the 2025-26 award we will again work with teachers to see how we can best incorporate this award within their curriculum, but still encourage children to partake in activities outside of the classroom.”

Pupils at St John’s Primary School, for example, undertook a traffic survey outside their school and have written letters to the council asking it to consider recommending to Somerset Council to reduce the speed limit at least at school pick up and drop off times.

“This letter writing and traffic surveying fed very well into their literacy and geography learning and hope that in the next award scheme other primary schools can take a similar approach,” said Mr Farrow.

A group of pupils have been invited to attend the council’s economic development committee meeting in June to present their findings.

Sport plays a key role in young people’s lives and the town council has actively supported efforts to improve sporting facilities in Wellington.