Making Merton ‘a Great Place to Grow Up’

Merton Liberal Democrats unveil proposals to improve opportunities, wellbeing and support for young people. Only half of children in Merton currently leave primary school able to swim, and 4 in 10 children in Mitcham & Morden are growing up in relative poverty.

Merton Liberal Democrats have today launched their ‘Great Place to Grow Up’ plan, setting out a comprehensive vision to improve the lives of children and young people across the borough. 

Their broad package of measures aim to improve opportunity, wellbeing and support. This includes a new Youth Sports and Arts Fund, offering bursaries for families alongside investment in facilities and better access to swimming lessons. 

Their plan also targets education, including funding urgent school repairs, extending library hours, and delivering life skills sessions on topics like money management and healthy living.

To support families early, proposals include increased investment in Family Centres, a ‘Baby Box’ scheme for parents in temporary accommodation, and expanded play and story sessions.

Improvements to parks, playgrounds and recreation grounds are also prioritised, with upgrades to equipment and earlier opening of splash facilities. Increasing the take up of team sports by young people, especially by teenage girls, will be a focus.

Additional measures focus on vulnerable young people, including better transitions into adult social care, expanded health support through social prescribing, and signing the Young Carers’ Covenant.

This plan forms part of the Liberal Democrats’ ‘Six to Fix’ priorities for the 2026 local elections.

Cllr Samantha MacArthur, Liberal Democrat Children and Families lead said:

“Every child deserves the chance to grow up healthy, happy and surrounded by opportunities, but for some families in Merton that simply isn’t the reality today.

“Whether it’s the condition of school buildings, the cost of joining a sports club, or the lack of support for those who need it most, too many young people are being held back.

“‘Making Merton a great place to grow up’ is about changing that. It means investing in our children, supporting families, and creating safe, welcoming spaces where young people can learn, play and thrive.

“We want Merton to be a borough where every child has the opportunity to flourish, a place where they can feel they belong, develop their potential, and simply enjoy being young.”