SOUTH YORKSHIRE COMES TOGETHER BEHIND AMBITIOUS NEW REGIONAL STRATEGY

Published 21 September 2026 at 4:40pm

Leaders from across South Yorkshire came together on Friday (18 September) to launch a new shared strategy for the region, setting out a long-term vision to improve opportunities, health and prosperity for people across Barnsley, Doncaster, Rotherham and Sheffield. 

The South Yorkshire Strategy is built around three ambitions: helping every person in South Yorkshire stay near and go far, making South Yorkshire the healthiest region in the country, and ensuring every community is connected and proud of its place. 

It has been developed in partnership with local authorities, businesses, the NHS, education providers, community organisations and residents. It brings together the ambitions, priorities and evidence that will help shape decision-making and investment across the region over the coming decade.

The launch event, held at Barnsley Civic, brought together organisations and stakeholders who helped shape the strategy through months of engagement, collaboration and consultation. 

South Yorkshire's Mayor Oliver Coppard said: "South Yorkshire's story has always been written by people coming together to get things done and that same spirit sits at the heart of our strategy.

"Over the last year, businesses, public services, community organisations and local people have helped shape a shared vision for South Yorkshire. They've told us what matters most: good jobs and opportunity, healthier lives, strong communities, and places people can be proud to call home.

"It isn't a strategy that belongs to SYMCA or any single organisation. It’s a strategy that belongs to South Yorkshire.

"It's our collective commitment to creating a place where every person can stay near and go far, the healthiest region in the country, where every community is connected and proud to call this place home.

"Now the real work begins. The success of the strategy won't be measured by the words on the pages, but by the difference it makes in people's lives over the years ahead. If we continue to work together with the same ambition, energy and determination that got us here, I'm confident South Yorkshire's best days are still ahead of us."

The strategy was informed by engagement carried out across South Yorkshire, alongside evidence, existing plans and the expertise of partners throughout the region. It is designed to provide a shared framework for action while recognising the distinct strengths and identities of Barnsley, Doncaster, Rotherham and Sheffield.
 
Louisa Harrison Walker OBE, CEO of Sheffield Chamber of Commerce and Co Chair of the SYMCA Business Advisory Board, said: “Sheffield Chamber is proud to support a strategy that enables people to ‘stay near and go far’- accessing good jobs, skills and opportunities close to home, while giving them the confidence and connections to succeed nationally and globally. 

“By working together, we can create a thriving South Yorkshire where businesses grow, talent flourishes and no one feels they must leave the region to fulfil their potential.”

Chris Edwards, Chief Executive of NHS South Yorkshire Integrated Care Board, said: “NHS South Yorkshire is fully committed to ambition two to make South Yorkshire the healthiest region in the country. We want to enable everyone to live healthier lives and to reach their full potential. 

“We want to make sure health outcomes are determined by where people live and not by how much they earn, so everyone can have the opportunity to live well.

Shahida Saddique, Chief Executive of FaithStar LLP, said: “This is a once in a lifetime opportunity to reset the social contract between those who serve our communities and the people of South Yorkshire. 

“This strategy isn't another vision to sit on a shelf - it's a commitment that whatever aspirations you might have, we have your back. I don't just want us to be the healthiest region; I want us to be the most ambitious for each other, so that every child and young person grows up seeing the best of South Yorkshire reflected back at them "

The strategy is being published alongside South Yorkshire’s Growth Plan, the region’s long-term economic strategy. The final plan builds on the vision published last year and sets out a clear programme of action to deliver growth and opportunity across South Yorkshire.

The South Yorkshire Strategy was endorsed by the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority Board last week and marks the beginning of a new phase of collective action across the region.
 
Partners will continue working together to turn the strategy's ambitions into tangible improvements in people's lives, communities and opportunities.

You can find out more information and view the full South Yorkshire Strategy and South Yorkshire’s Growth Plan on the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority website.