Category: Uncategorized

Introducing a new member of the CWVYS team

A new colleague joins the CWVYS staff team.

Eifion Williams has been appointed as CWVYS Business Advisory Volunteer Co-ordinator.

Our project – ‘Trustees on Board’ – will see Eifion taking the lead on working with the CWVYS Business Advisory Group (a forum of supportive private and voluntary sector experienced volunteers) aims, amongst many things, to:

• match opportunities for private sector middle-managers to join voluntary youth work organisations’ Trustee boards
• empower voluntary youth work organisations to benefit from private sector skillsets
• develop the private sector’s understanding of the voluntary youth work sector and the role that volunteering plays in support of the sector’s work

Eifion, based in north Wales, will make himself known to you in due course.

Yn dilyn y cyhoeddiad y bydd cyllid Llywodraeth Cymru ar gyfer y Cynllun Seibiannau Byr yn parhau, mae Ymddiriedolaeth Gofalwyr Cymru yn gwahodd Datganiadau o Ddiddordeb gan sefydliadau’r Trydydd Sector yng Nghymru er mwyn ymgeisio am gyllid i weithredu prosiectau’r Cynllun Seibiannau Byr rhwng Hydref 2026 a Mawrth 2029.

Nod y cynllun yw sicrhau bod mwy o seibiannau byr ar gael i ofalwyr di-dâl, gwella llesiant a chryfhau gwydnwch. Mae tua £4.8 miliwn ar gael dros y cyfnod hwn o ddwy flynedd a hanner, ac mae’r grantiau sydd ar gael i sefydliadau Trydydd Sector llwyddiannus yn werth o leiaf £20,000.

Dyddiad Cau: 10am dydd Llun 2 Chwefror 2026

Ymgeisiwch yma: short-breaks-eoi-form-26-29-final-cym.docx

Darllenwch y canllawiau: nodiadau-canllaw-seibiannau-byr—cym-(1).docx

Ymunwch â sesiynau Holi ac Ateb Ymddiriedolaeth Gofalwyr Cymru i ddysgu rhagor:

• 2pm dydd Mercher 14 Ionawr 2026
• 10am dydd Mawrth 20 Ionawr 2026

Anfonwch e-bost i shortbreakswales@carers.org gyda’ch enw chi, ac enw a chyfeiriad e-bost eich sefydliad a byddwn yn anfon dolen i’r cyfarfod atoch.

I gael rhagor o wybodaeth, ewch i wefan y Cynllun Seibiannau Byr neu anfonwch e-bost i shortbreakswales@carers.org

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Following the announcement of the continuation of funding for the Short Breaks Scheme from Welsh Government, Carers Trust Wales invites Expressions of Interest from Third Sector organisations in Wales to apply for funding to deliver Short Breaks Scheme projects between October 2026 and March 2029.

The scheme aims to increase the availability of short breaks for unpaid carers, improve wellbeing and strengthen resilience. Approximately £4.8m is available over this two and a half year period, with grants available for successful Third Sector organisations, from £20,000.

Deadline: 10am Monday 2 February 2026

Apply here: short-breaks-scheme-eoi-form-26-29-final.docx  (also attached)

Read the guidance notes: short-breaks-scheme-eoi-guidance-notes-26-29.docx (also attached).

Join Carers Trust Wales Q&A sessions to learn more at either:

• 2pm Wednesday 14 January 2026
• 10am Tuesday 20 January 2026

Please email shortbreakswales@carers.org with your name, organisation name and email address and a link to the meeting will be sent.

For further information, please visit the Short Breaks Scheme website or email shortbreakswales@carers.org

NEST framework (mental health and wellbeing): implementation update

The NYTH/NEST framework is a co‑produced planning tool for organisations and strategic leadership to share key principles and language for mental health and wellbeing.

The Welsh Government is committed to creating a whole system approach to mental health and wellbeing services for babies, children, young people and their families. Implementation of the NYTH/NEST framework is a key part of supporting services to work in partnership to deliver more joined up, nurturing, empowering, safe and trusted services.

This NYTH/NEST implementation update draws together reporting from Regional Partnership Boards’ NEST self‑assessments and Welsh Government to show the progress being made in NYTH/NEST implementation.

NEST framework (mental health and wellbeing): implementation update 2025 [HTML] | GOV.WALES

Fframwaith NYTH (iechyd meddwl a llesiant): diweddariad gweithredu

Mae’r fframwaith NYTH yn offeryn cynllunio wedi’i gydgynhyrchu ar gyfer sefydliadau ac arweinwyr strategol i rannu egwyddorion ac iaith allweddol ar gyfer iechyd meddwl a llesiant. 

Mae Llywodraeth Cymru wedi ymrwymo i greu dull system gyfan o ymdrin â gwasanaethau iechyd meddwl a llesiant ar gyfer babanod, plant, pobl ifanc a’u teuluoedd. Mae gweithredu fframwaith NYTH yn rhan allweddol o gefnogi gwasanaethau i weithio mewn partneriaeth er mwyn darparu gwasanaethau meithrin, grymuso, diogel a dibynadwy mwy cydlynus.

Mae’r diweddariad blynyddol hwn ar weithredu NYTH yn dwyn ynghyd adroddiadau o hunanasesiadau NYTH Byrddau Partneriaeth Rhanbarthol a Llywodraeth Cymru i ddangos y cynnydd sy’n cael ei wneud wrth roi NYTH ar waith.

https://www.llyw.cymru/fframwaith-nyth-iechyd-meddwl-llesiant-diweddariad-gweithredu-2025-html

The SPACE wellbeing co-ordinator posts are now live on NHS jobs – please see below link. The closing date is currently 7^th January, but this will be extended for a further 2 weeks due to the Christmas break. For further information, please click on the link below.

Jobs – Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board

These sessions will bring together colleagues from across the sector to explore new insights, research, and practical approaches to supporting learner health and well‑being. We’d love for you to join us, and we’d also be grateful if you could share the details within your networks to help spread the word.

You can learn more about each webinar and book your free place using the links below.

Learner School Connectedness and Well-being: Evaluation of the Whole School Approach to Emotional and Mental Well-being

Wednesday 28 January, 3.45pm – 4.30pm, Microsoft Teams

Join us for a free webinar where we’ll share insights from a three-year evaluation of the Whole School Approach to Emotional and Mental Well-being in Wales, funded by the Wolfson Centre for Young People’s Mental Health, Cardiff University.

Using data and insights from The School Health Research Network (SHRN), the webinar will explore if children and young people’s mental health and sense of connection to school has changed over time since the Whole School Approach to Emotional and Mental Well-being was introduced.

Improving School Climate to Support Children and Young People’s Mental Health

Thursday 26 February, 3.45pm – 4.30pm, Microsoft Teams

Schools play an important part in shaping how learners feel. But what does a supportive school climate look like (e.g. relationships, routines, values, and the general ‘feel’ of a school) and how much difference can it make to the mental health and well-being of learners?

Join us for our free webinar, where we will discuss school climate approaches and interventions; their impact on mental health; and their potential to reduce or widen health and well-being inequalities.

Rethinking Secondary Schools: Insights from SHRN Data to Support Leaners with ADHD

Wednesday 25 March, 3.45pm – 4.30pm, Microsoft Teams

Join us as we dive into a SHRN-informed research study exploring how school practices and environments impact the mental health and well-being of learners with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

Using data from The School Health Research Network (SHRN), drawn from over 21,000 learners aged 13 – 14 across Wales in 2019, this study investigates the links between self-reported ADHD symptoms and mental well-being, depressive symptoms, and emotional difficulties, while also uncovering how these outcomes differ between schools.

Building on these findings, we take a closer look through in-depth interviews with leaners and staff in three secondary schools. This qualitative research reveals how elements of school climate e.g. belonging, shared values and relationships, alongside everyday practices, shape the well-being of learners with ADHD.

The research provides practical insights to help schools create more inclusive environments, supporting learners with ADHD while also boosting well-being for every learner.

DIARY MARKERS*

You may, or may not, have heard about the proposed Statutory Framework for Youth Work in Wales?

If not, or if you need a refresher, more here via the Cabinet Secretary for Education’s announcement on 1 December 2025:

https://www.gov.wales/written-statement-national-body-and-statutory-framework-youth-work-0

https://www.llyw.cymru/datganiad-ysgrifenedig-corff-cenedlaethol-fframwaith-statudol-ar-gyfer-gwaith-ieuenctid-0

As the Statement says:

‘The new framework, comprising statutory directions and statutory guidance, will be brought into force by April 2026. It will place a statutory duty on local authorities to ensure the provision of youth work – this is unprecedented and reflects my commitment to extend the benefits of youth work to more young people. The framework will also introduce a new planning and reporting structure which will enable Welsh Ministers and crucially, young people, to hold decision makers to account for decisions relating to the youth work offer in their area.’

This will bring big changes to the ways in which you will be working and collaborating with local authority youth service teams  – whether you already do or if you never have done. 

CWVYS intends to help you to navigate this new approach by providing you with webinar and in-person opportunities to discuss and debate the opportunities, barriers, solutions and ways forward – both amongst yourselves and with local authority Principal Youth Officers and their teams plus Welsh Government officials from the Youth Engagement Branch.

Diary markers:

Webinars (for voluntary sector organisations only):

29 January 10am-12 noon 

30 January 10am-12noon 

10 February 10.30-12noon

11 February 2.00-3.30pm

In-person (for all):

26 February – Swansea

27 February – Cardiff

12 March – north Wales tbc

13 March – mid Wales tbc

‘Meet and Greets’

CWVYS will facilitate online and/or in-person conversations between yourselves and local authority youth service teams to continue, or to start, conversations about collaborative working as part of the new statutory framework. Details to follow.

Next steps

In the coming days and weeks, we will start to roll out more information on the above.

Media use and attitudes

Our latest Online Nation report explores how adults and children in the UK experience life online. From the sites and apps we use every day, to how people feel about what they do and what they encounter online. 

Take a look at the top trends from this year’s report. 

Ein Gwlad Ar-lein 2025: o apiau i chwiliad DA

Defnydd a hagweddau’r cyfryngau

Mae ein hadroddiad Ein Gwlad Ar-lein diweddaraf yn archwilio sut mae oedolion a phlant yn y DU yn profi bywyd ar-lein. O’r safleoedd a’r apiau rydyn ni’n eu defnyddio bob dydd, i sut mae pobl yn teimlo am yr hyn maen nhw’n ei wneud a’r hyn maen nhw’n ei weld ar-lein.

Cymerwch olwg ar y prif dueddiadau o’r adroddiad eleni.

Voluntary Youth Work Organisations Support Scheme (VYWOSS 2025-26) – ROUND 2

CWVYS has been commissioned by the Welsh Government’s Youth Engagement Branch to administer another round of the Voluntary Youth Work Organisations Support Scheme (VYWOSS 2025-26) (ROUND 2)

Before you read any further, please note that this fund is only available to voluntary sector organisations, not-for-profit, delivering youth work services in Wales in no more than one local authority area, and not in receipt of Strategic Voluntary Youth Work Organisation (SVYWO) funding

Successful applicants from Round 1 are not eligible to apply for Round 2 funding.

The aims of this competitive grant scheme are to:

• Support organisational sustainability through capacity-building and resilience-focused activities.
• Enhance the visibility and impact of youth work by helping organisations evidence their outcomes and attract further funding.
• Promote alignment with cross-Government priorities, including:

• The Anti-Racist Wales Action Plan
• The LGBTQ+ Action Plan
• Cymraeg 2050
• Strengthen open access youth work provision, particularly where such services have been deprioritised due to a shift towards targeted funding.

• Individual grants of £5,000 to £15,000 will be available to eligible organisations. Organisations will be able to apply for up to 3 strands of the grant, with a maximum amount available per strand of £5,000.
• Guidance documents and application forms are attached to this message.
• Closing date for receipt of applications is 9 January 2026.

For application forms and guidance notes, contact paul@cwvys.org.uk

Erasmus+

What has been announced? 

The UK has successfully agreed terms to join Erasmus+ in 2027, widening opportunities for young people from all backgrounds. 

This means that:

• Young people and youth workers will be able to enjoy valuable international experiences, helping them develop new skills, broaden horizons, and enhance future career prospects. Erasmus+ offers a wide range of opportunities for individuals to study, work, train, or volunteer abroad – whether for short or long-term placements. 
• Youth sector organisations can build stronger ties with European counterparts. Erasmus+ fosters collaboration between organisations across Europe and beyond, promoting knowledge exchange and innovation.

What are the next steps? 

A UK National Agency will be appointed to administer the programme, with a dedicated website and guidance to launch in Summer 2026 ahead of the 2027 application window (funding call).

The funding call period for 2027 is expected to run from approximately November 2026 to February 2027. 

Sutton Trust Fulbright US Programme

Applications for the 2026 programme are now open!

As a refresher, the Sutton Trust Fulbright US Programme is designed to support students from state schools across the UK in S5 in Scotland, Year 12 in England and Wales and Year 13 in Northern Ireland to explore US study and access leading universities. It includes several in-person residentials where students can meet other like-minded people and have a taste of university life.

An optional second year of the programme supports students to apply to US universities alongside their UCAS options. In the past near-fifteen years, we have helped more than 700 British students get places and funding worth over a combined $200 million at top US universities.

The programme is free to take part in.

The programme is founded and funded by the Sutton Trust, the UK’s leading social mobility charity, and delivered in partnership with the Fulbright Commission, who are experts in helping UK students study in the US.

Applications accepted until 11 January 2026

The Sutton Trust also runs multiple UK-based summer schools that your students may be interested in. You can find more information here.

The Sutton Trust Fulbright US Programme 2025-2026 overview document can be found  here.

Promotional A6 flyer can be found  here. A Welsh Language version of the flyer can be found  here.

Cliciwch ar y ddolen isod i ddarganfod mwy. Click on the link below to find out more.

https://www.cwvys.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Ceredigion-level-3-feb-26-1.pdf

Cliciwch ar y ddolen isod am ddyddiadau hyfforddi a sut i gofrestru. / Click on the link below for training dates and how to register.

https://www.cwvys.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Ceredigion-level-2-day-time-Feb-26.pdf