One of our priorities as a Lib Dem-led council is to tackle inequalities in our society. Back in 2018 a report highlighted that almost four-and-a-half thousand local children and young people were living in poverty in our town. The report showed that the younger individuals who experienced poverty were more likely to face challenges such as poorer educational outcomes, higher rates of exclusion and worse physical and mental health. We didn’t believe this was acceptable in Cheltenham.

Our desire to improve lives directly led to the launch of our inspirational No Child Left Behind (NCLB) initiative. This community-wide project tackles child poverty, and the inequality some young people face, through enrichment grants, creating events to raise awareness and directing focus towards supporting families who need it.

Last summer’s NCLB Party in the Park and our NCLB Awards Ceremony were both excellent examples of outstanding community impact in the way they provided support and raised awareness for this cause. I would like to thank our partners who make these events so special and thoroughly enjoyable for Cheltonians of all ages.

Determination as powerful as ever

Despite our successes, we cannot rest on our laurels. It remains a sad fact that our No Child Left Behind initiatives are just as important today as they were back in 2018. While the challenges have shifted over the years, the need remains great. And our determination to tackle inequality remains as powerful as ever.

This year our challenge is to help address the growing issues of school attendance and poor mental health. We will complement the work carried out by schools, the county council and specialist community partners by providing additional support for children and their families through community-based solutions.

If, like us, you want Cheltenham to be the best place for children and young people to live, grow and reach their potential – no matter their background – keep an eye out for NCLB events and projects, such as this year’s Party in the Park next month, in your local community.