MANCHESTER BECOMES AN OFFICIAL UNICEF CHILD FRIENDLY CITY
Threadwork Collective’s Generation Transition project Celebrates Manchester’s Recognition as a UNICEF Child Friendly City
MANCHESTER, UK — 17th June 2026 – Threadwork Collective and our TOGETHERHOOD MANCHESTER team warmly welcomes this week’s announcement that Manchester has officially achieved UNICEF Child Friendly City status. This milestone is a testament to the city’s four-year journey of embedding a Child Rights-Based Approach into the very fabric of the city’s streets, services, and decision-making.
For TOGETHERHOOD MANCHESTER, this recognition validates our core belief: a city that is good for a child is a city that is good for everyone.
A Vision for Future Generations
Our Generation Transition project centres children and young people playing an active role in shaping future economies, and on fostering intergenerational and interconnected approaches towards safe and liveable futures for all. We believe decisions taken now should stand the test of time, and the UNICEF Child Friendly City award can act as a vital catalyst to align and mobilise the collective ambitions of the city and beyond.
A Child Friendly City is more than just safe playgrounds; it means ensuring our youngest citizens have a seat at the table in decision making and informing our shared futures.
TOGETHERHOOD MANCHESTER’s Commitment to the Future
In alignment with the city’s new status, TOGETHERHOOD MANCHESTER pledges to:
- Strengthen Intergenerational Bonds: Using the “Equal and Included” golden thread to ensure children from across Manchester feel a sense of belonging
- Raising Children’s Voices: Promoting, advocating and embedding the views of the city’s children in all our facilitated and networked activities (Article 12 – the right to an opinion and for it to be listened to and taken seriously.)
- Promote Environmental Stewardship: Centre youth-led voices through our Assemblies and facilitate a child-focused exploration of shared, regenerative and sustainable futures (Article 29 – the right to education which tries to develop your personality and abilities as much as possible and encourages you to respect other people’s rights and values and to respect the environment.)
We invite our partners and the Manchester community to join us in celebrating this achievement. Together, we are weaving a future where every generation can flourish on a peaceful, healthy planet.
Contact details:
Marie Saddoo (Generation Transition Steward)