This month as part of the Year of Friendship campaign, Sefton Council will be focusing on children and young people and highlighting some of the amazing organisations and projects which give help and support to them.



Adjusting through teenage years can bring challenges, which may lead to a young person feeling that they don’t fit in or are misunderstood, which can be heightened by the pressures of social media. In 2017/18 Childline carried out 4,636 counselling sessions for loneliness, a 14% rise on the previous year.


There are many groups and organisations across Sefton working to give young people a sense of identity and connection with others. These include 0-19 support in our Family Wellbeing Centres and targeted support from Sefton’s youth workers for young people who typically experience social isolation like those who identify as LGBTQ+.


Disabled young people can turn to Sefton’s Aiming High for Disabled Children Service if they need additional support and guidance.


Each service provides opportunities for children and young people to share passions and experiences and in turn improve their health and wellbeing.


Another Sefton Council service being celebrated for the Year of Friendship is Be Active, which runs sessions every school holidays except for Christmas. The programme delivers a great range of activities to children aged 3-16 across Sefton, tackling isolation by helping children to keep active, have fun and make friends in a safe environment.


Activities range from all day camps for dance and multi-sport, to two-hour taster sessions including gymnastics, archery and fencing, and dodgeball, and pool parties at the swimming pools. Sessions take place at locations across the borough, including Litherland Sports Park, Dunes leisure centre, Meadows leisure centre, Crosby Lakeside, Crosby leisure centre and Netherton Activity centre.


The October programme will be available from the start of October. Find out more here.


For further information or to book any activities contact 0151 288 6286.