The Children's Commissioner for England has reported that children in Liverpool combine strong local pride with clear concerns about services and the public environment. During a visit to the Liverpool Football Club Foundation's work experience week, youngsters spoke candidly about what they love and what they want to change in their neighbourhoods.
Strong local pride alongside clear grievances
While many of the issues raised — requests for more youth clubs, complaints about litter and antisocial behaviour — mirror themes heard nationally, the commissioner emphasised how these worries were expressed through a lens of attachment to place. Young people told the commissioner that their criticism sprang from care for the city rather than indifference.
"It's boss here"
Other remarks captured the communal spirit: young people praised the friendliness of local communities and the atmosphere, but they also linked visible problems to feelings that some residents do not value the city as they do.
What children told the commissioner
- They expressed pride in being from Liverpool and strong feelings of belonging.
- Common concerns included litter, antisocial behaviour and a shortage of youth clubs or opportunities.
- Criticisms were framed as a desire for improvement rather than simple complaint.
The commissioner’s reflections underline a recurring tension for local policymakers: youth who are deeply invested in their place but feel under-served by public provision.
Implications for local services and civic policy
For Liverpool’s councillors, community organisations and funders, the testimony presents a clear prompt. Investments in visible upkeep and accessible youth services can respond directly to the issues raised while reinforcing young people’s civic pride. The comments also point to the importance of participation: asking children what they want and involving them in local solutions may help convert their pride into practical stewardship.
| Theme raised | What children said |
|---|---|
| Pride in place | Strong attachment and positive civic identity |
| Environment | Litter seen as a symptom of people not caring |
| Youth provision | Desire for more youth clubs and opportunities |
These reflections are part of the commissioner’s broader programme of engagement with young people across England. In Liverpool, they should be of particular interest to local decision-makers because they combine a readily mobilisable asset — civic pride — with tangible, addressable complaints.
Practical responses could include targeted cleanup campaigns co‑designed with young people, expansion of work experience and youth-club provision, and stronger channels for children to influence local neighbourhood plans. As the commissioner’s visit makes clear, children here want a city that matches their affection for it; the challenge for local authorities is to translate that affection into sustained, visible improvement.
