Build Our Futures, is Wakefield’s main voice and participation group, supporting children and young people to have their say in the services and support they receive.
Any child or young person, growing up in Wakefield district, can get involved.
Build Our Futures (BOF) Forum
This group is made up of members from across Wakefield, meet to talk about district wide issues and work with Wakefield Council and partner agencies to help improve the futures of Wakefield’s children and young people.
Age 11-19 (25 with SEND)
Wakefield Youth Council /UKYP
Members of the UK Youth Parliament are elected and use their voice to bring about social change. They work on local, regional, and national priorities, representing Wakefield.
Age 11 -19 (25 with SEND)
Children In Care Council & 16+ Care Leavers Forum
These groups are for children in care and care leavers only (including SGO and kinship care).
Age 11 – 25
Shout Out for Change
A group young people with Special Educational Needs and/or Disability (SEND) aged 14 to 25. The group work to ensure their voices are heard on issues that affect them and to influence local and national decision-making.
Build Our Futures host summits each year, in May and November, these are opportunities for children and young people, to celebrate, achievements, take part in activities and to meet with professionals to work on priorities together.
Email: Buildourfutures@wakefield.gov.uk
Call: 01924 302116
Text: 07920751202
Hate crime – Wakefield Council
OMG to Bullying – Wakefield Safeguarding Children (wakefieldscp.org.uk)
Wakefield children and young people developed the Respect Charter to encourage all organisations working with children and young people to adopt it’s principles and promote a culture of kindness and respect within their settings.
The Charter sets out what children and young people say matters most to them. They ask organisations to show their commitment by signing up to the Charter, displaying the poster, embedding respect into everyday practice, and taking action when these values are not upheld.
To officially sign up to the Respect Charter, please email Buildourfutures@wakefield.gov.uk with the name of your organisation, a brief statement explaining why the Charter is important to you, and a copy of your organisation’s logo. This information will be added to a live list of participating organisations.
Saturday 9th May, 12:00–4:00pm
CAPA College, Wakefield
We’re delighted to invite young people to the Build Our Futures Respect Summit — an inspiring afternoon of performances, engaging workshops and opportunities to explore Wakefield’s ambitions for children and young people.
Throughout the day, we’ll be focusing on what matters most:
Feeling safe and loved
Being healthy
Receiving a good education
Building bright and ambitious futures
This summit offers a fantastic chance for young people to share their ideas, express their views, and help shape future plans for all children and young people across the Wakefield district.
A copy of the event poster is attached. Please do share it and encourage the young people you work with to book their place.
Who is it for?
Young people aged 11–19 (or up to 25 with SEND).
Adults and professionals may attend by invitation only, unless they are accompanying or supporting young people.
Young People’s Youth Talks Podcast; created and led by young people.
This episode brings real, honest voices to the forefront as the young hosts share their experiences, challenges, strengths, and hopes for the future. In this powerful conversation, they explore:
🏫Lived experiences in school — what helps, what harms, and what needs to change.
🧠Challenges — navigating environments that aren’t designed with neurodivergent minds in mind.
🦸Superpowers — the creativity, passion, focus, and unique strengths that shape who they are.
📢A call for change — their message to educators, professionals, and decision makers about how to build more inclusive, understanding spaces.
Want to get involved in projects like this and make a difference? Contact buildourfutures@wakefield.gov.uk