Redbridge becomes England’s first UNICEF UK Child Friendly community

Published: 23 March 2026

Redbridge has reached a landmark moment in its journey to champion the rights and wellbeing of every child and young person in the borough, having been officially recognised by the UK Committee for UNICEF (UNICEF UK) as a Child Friendly Community – and the first in England.

This prestigious recognition marks the culmination of years of dedication, partnership working and deep engagement between Redbridge Council and children, young people, families, schools, community groups, health partners and local organisations across Redbridge. Together, we have worked to create a borough where children feel safer, valued, included, and able to help shape the decisions that affect their lives.

Since beginning our Child Friendly Redbridge journey in 2019, we have listened to thousands of children and young people to understand their experiences, concerns and hopes for the future. Their voices led directly to the creation and delivery of the Child Friendly Redbridge Action Plan, which focused on the priorities they told us mattered most, feeling safe and secure, being healthy, and improving local places and activities.

Our collective partnership work has transformed how Redbridge approaches children’s rights. By embedding children’s rights into top-level decision-making, we have made sure that young people are not just consulted, but are active partners in shaping policies, projects and services across Redbridge. This way of working is now central to how Redbridge Council designs places, plans improvements and delivers services so they reflect what children say they need.

Children and young people have co‑designed climate forums and nature projects, inputted into creating safer streets around schools, helped to design creative public spaces, and supported with mapping mental health support so it’s easier to access, and much more. Children and young people have been at the heart of every step forward for Redbridge.

To ensure long-term impact, Redbridge has developed a three‑year Sustainability Plan, which sets out how the borough will continue embedding children’s rights into services, decision-making, training and local planning. The plan ensures children and young people remain active partners in shaping Redbridge’s future.

Councillor Kam Rai, Leader of Redbridge Council said, “Becoming the first UNICEF Child Friendly Community in England is a proud moment for our borough. This achievement belongs to our children and young people, whose voices have guided us every step of the way, and to the partners and organisations who have been dedicated to upholding children’s rights with us over recent years.

“We are committed to building a Redbridge where every child feels safe, heard and able to thrive and this recognition strengthens our determination to keep improving, keep listening and keep putting children at the heart of everything we do.

“This recognition is not the end of the journey, it marks the beginning of our next chapter.”

 

Naomi Danquah, Director of Child Friendly Cities and Communities, UNICEF UK, said, “Redbridge becoming the first UNICEF Child Friendly Community in England is a moment of real pride, and a testament to everything the borough has already achieved by working with, listening to, and standing up for its children.

“Being recognised as a Child Friendly City or Community comes with responsibility, and local authorities have to show commitment to areas where improvements need to be made.  This milestone marks a promise to Redbridge’s children and young people that their voices will continue to shape the place they call home, and that the strong foundations in place will keep growing. Ensuring every child, especially those facing the greatest challenges, are supported and celebrated now and into the future.”

 

Mariam, from Redbridge's Young Panel of Experts said, "Being part of the Child Friendly Redbridge cohort was such a crucial way to ensure that young people were put at the forefront of such important discussions and hadn’t faded into background noise, and it was a privilege being able to voice out both concerns and appreciation for our community in a skilled manner. As for my hopes and dreams for the future of children and young people in Redbridge, I hope that as the youth, we understand how vital our input is for the world! I hope we never shy away from differentiating right from wrong and working towards making a difference."

Valerie, from Redbridge's Young Panel of Experts said, "My experience of being part of the CFR journey has been really enriching and rewarding. I attended CFR meetings for well over 2 years before Redbridge's CFR accreditation assessment period by UNICEF UK and at every single meeting I have appreciated the chance to not only voice my opinion on issues affecting children in Redbridge but also the opportunity to make friends with other young people and meet others passionate about improving the lives of children in the borough. I have many hopes and dreams for children in this borough that are equally applicable to my hopes and dreams for children across the country and the globe, but a few would be the eradication of violence against women and girls and greater support for disadvantaged children who may be overlooked both publicly and privately, such as asylum-seeking young people (including unaccompanied minors), young people who experience period poverty, and homeless young people."

Thulasi, from Redbridge's Young Panel of Experts said, "My time as a Child Friendly Redbridge Ambassador has been nothing but awesome. The team and the leaders in this panel are truly miraculous. They make each and every single one of us feel included. My vision for the children of this borough, and indeed for every child across the globe, is rooted in the fundamental right to safety, dignity, and visibility. We must strive for a future where the shadow of violence against women and girls is permanently lifted, replaced by a culture of profound respect and security. This dream extends to those young people too often pushed to the margins of our collective conscience: the asylum-seekers and unaccompanied minors who deserve a sanctuary of belonging, the homeless youth who need the bedrock of a stable home, and those hindered by the indignity of period poverty. By championing the disadvantaged and the overlooked, we ensure that no child’s potential is stifled by their circumstances, creating a world where every young person is seen, supported, and empowered to thrive."

Ahmad, from Redbridge's Young Panel of Experts said, "Being a part of the UNICEF panel of young experts was one of the most enlightening experiences of my life, I got to learn about my rights and the rights of the children around me - which really changed how I viewed the entire world, it allowed me to engage in productive discussions about my rights with my peers alongside my teachers - raising more and more awareness regarding UNICEF rights around Redbridge"

 

As a recognised Child Friendly Borough, Redbridge will continue working with children, families, partners and communities to create an environment where every child has the chance to thrive today, tomorrow and for generations to come.

 

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More information

For more information about Child Friendly Redbridge and to explore our projects, stories and resources, visit: www.redbridge.gov.uk/childfriendly

 

Examples of the changes shaped by children and young people

Through the Child Friendly Redbridge programme, children and young people have directly shaped real, visible improvements across the borough.

·       Fairlop Waters transformation: Children and local youth groups co‑designed new park features, including an adventure trail, nature map and biodiversity “Grow Zones”, ensuring the 250‑acre expansion reflects what young people want in outdoor spaces.

·       Hainault Forest improvements: Young people contributed artwork, design ideas and accessibility improvements for the revamped forest and adventure playground — including selecting new play equipment and co‑creating exhibitions and nature‑focused installations.

·       School Zones (Superzones): Pupils helped identify safety, pollution and active‑travel issues around their schools, leading to greener spaces, new cycleways, School Streets and improved crossings near Ilford Lane.

·       Ilford Arrival project: Young women aged 16–25 served as co‑designers of new public spaces around Ilford Town Centre, influencing lighting, safety features, sensory design, bridge ideas and river‑path improvements. Local schools also contributed models, drawings and biodiversity ideas.

·       Mental Health Map: Young people designed and promoted a borough‑wide survey, generating more than 900 responses. Their insight created Redbridge’s online Mental Health Map — a practical tool now used by schools, families and services.

·       Rights Week and borough‑wide training: More than 400 staff, Councillors, voluntary groups, police and health professionals received UNICEF‑led training on children’s rights, building a shared understanding and ensuring services better reflect these principles. Young people also helped design school resources and activities for Rights Week.

These changes demonstrate how children’s voices have moved from conversation into real action, reshaping parks, public spaces, health services, learning environments and community safety.

Partnership

Receiving recognition from UNICEF UK is a testament to the strength of partnership working in Redbridge. Our network of committed organisations including Vision Redbridge Culture & Leisure, Community Action Redbridge (and their Young Advisors), youth centres, schools, health partners such as NELFT and the ICB, as well as local charities, voluntary groups and community organisations, has played a central role in building a culture that protects, listens to and empowers children.