St Helens Youth Council Builds Global Youth Voice Through International Partnership with Stuttgart and Cardiff

Young people from St Helens Youth Council, supported by Vibe UK, are continuing to make their mark internationally through a growing partnership with Stuttgart, the German twin town of St Helens, and fellow UK city Cardiff.

The collaboration began in 2023, when Stuttgart reached out to Vibe UK to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the St Helens–Stuttgart town twinning. Since that first exchange, the relationship has flourished, with young people from St Helens invited back for multiple visits in September 2023, November 2024, July 2025, September 2025, and November 2025, each one building on the last.

While the most recent visit in September 2025 marked the Cardiff–Stuttgart 70th anniversary, the next trip in November 2025 will see the group join international peers to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the Stuttgart Youth Council.

Across these exchanges, youth councils from St Helens, Stuttgart, and Cardiff have worked together on themes such as international relations, sustainability, and youth leadership. Their collaboration has now evolved into a new and exciting partnership, the CaST (Cardiff, St Helens, Stuttgart) Alliance.

Through the CaST Alliance, young people from all three cities will meet virtually every six weeks to share ideas, develop leadership skills, and work together on a joint international campaign designed to amplify youth voices on global issues.

“We need to recognise the importance of learning about life on an international level" Said Anja, Acting MYP for St Helens Youth Council.

“Youth exchange has helped me expand my knowledge on international environmental issues.”” said Riley, member of St Helens Youth Council.

This international partnership reflects Vibe UK’s commitment to empowering young people to lead change through its youth voice programmes. From #FeedTheNeed  a youth-led movement tackling food poverty in St Helens, to campaigns on mental health and wellbeing, disability rights, LGBTQIA+ inclusion, and the cost of living crisis, Vibe UK supports young people to take action on the issues that matter most to them.

Vibe UK continues to champion youth voice and leadership across Halton, St Helens, Liverpool, and beyond, ensuring that young people are heard at the highest levels of decision-making, locally, nationally, and internationally.