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I hope this youth work bulletin finds you well and you’re beginning to enjoy the brighter days and the Spring season.
It was wonderful to see so many youth work colleagues and friends at the youth work conference last month, with over three hundred of you who attended Cardiff City Stadium. It was the first conference that had taken place for five years and a lot has changed since then!
The energy and buzz in the main room was wonderful. Having the Cabinet Secretary for Education in attendance and the Children’s Commissioner for Wales was a demonstration of their commitment to youth work in Wales.
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There was good representation from all parts of the sector, and we also welcomed guests from across the UK. I particularly found the speech from the CEO of Youth Link Scotland to be enlightening, and one of our amazing Youth Work Champions, Molly Fenton who was outstanding when describing the power of youth work and what it has meant to her. The theme of the conference was ‘Collaboration and Partnership’. This is fundamental as we go forward to strengthening current partnership approaches and shaping the future of youth work to sustain our sector. Partnership working is a key principle in the draft statutory framework presented for consultation earlier this year.
I have been listening to the podcast guests who were interviewed on the day by Darryl White from ETS. They gave a rich insight into the history of youth work in Wales. To listen to the podcast, you can follow the link here; Youth Work Conference Special (Post Conference with Sharon Lovell)
The Youth Work Strategic Implementation Board are looking forward to a decision from the Cabinet Secretary for Education on the potential establishment of a national body for youth work. I would like to thank those from the sector who engaged and shared their views during the initial considerations of the potential role and remit of a national body.
Please look out for information relating to Youth Work Week in June, there will be lots going on so please get involved! I look forward to continuing to engage with you in the coming months.
Sharon Lovell MBE
Chair of Youth Work Strategy Implementation Board.
A summary of the responses received to our recent consultation on draft proposals for a new statutory framework for youth work has been published. The summary can be accessed here.
 Key Highlights & Insights
Inspiring Voices – Keynotes from Cabinet Secretary for Education, Lynne Neagle MS, Chair of the Youth Work Strategy Implementation Board, Sharon Lovell MBE, and Children’s Commissioner for Wales, Rocio Cifuentes MBE emphasised the power of collaboration in shaping the future of youth work and emphasising the importance of youth voice.
Practical Learning – Workshops tackled vital topics like funding strategies, digital youth work, and sport-driven community engagement, offering real-world takeaways for attendees.
Creativity in Action – Sessions on the arts in youth work showcased the impact of film, poetry, and storytelling, including a live performance by Anya Sherlock of Olion.
The Future of Youth Work in Wales – Plenary discussions covered Welsh language in youth work, practical learning, and anti-racist youth work, reminding us why our work matters.
 What’s Next?
Stay Connected – Follow @IeuenctidCymru on X to continue the conversation.
One of our Youth Work Champions, Lieam Williams, who is a youth worker for Gwynedd Youth Service spoke at the conference and shared his thoughts on the day;
‘Attending my first Youth Conference in Cardiff was a brilliant experience! The event was vibrant and full of energy, bringing together passionate individuals dedicated to making a difference to young people's lives. It was great to have been able to participate in a Discussion Panel, which delved into how working in partnership with other agencies positively impacts young people and explored the fundamental purpose of youth work. Overall, the conference was a fantastic opportunity to learn, connect, and contribute to meaningful discussions.’
 Kicking Off Change: Harnessing Football & Youth Work to Empower Young People
Zac Lyndon-Jones is Head of Community Development at Cardiff City FC Community Foundation and felt that taking part in the Youth Work Conference 2025 was a fantastic opportunity to share how Cardiff City FC Community Foundation uses the power of football to inspire, support, and uplift young people across Wales.
"Welcoming everyone to Cardiff City Stadium — the home of Cardiff City Football Club — I reflected on how football, like youth work, unites people and creates a sense of belonging. Just as football connects fans, youth work creates spaces where young people feel valued, supported, and motivated to succeed.
With over 20 years of experience in youth work, both voluntarily and now professionally with Cardiff City FC Community Foundation, my passion is helping young people thrive. Youth work is more than just providing services — it’s about listening, understanding, and building trust so young people feel heard and supported.
I highlighted how Cardiff City FC Community Foundation uses the power of football to engage young people and drive positive change. As the official charity of Cardiff City FC, we focus on our "hat trick of goals":
✅ Health & Wellbeing – Promoting mental and physical health through sport.
✅ Support Learning & Skills – Helping young people develop life skills and find new opportunities.
✅ Build Stronger Communities – Bringing people together to create a sense of belonging.
Football is a powerful tool — and when combined with effective youth work, it can change lives."
https://cardiffcityfcfoundation.org.uk/our-impact/impact-report
 Steve Swindon from TAPE reflects on the Youth Work Conference
Steve Swindon Founder of TAPE Community Music and Film was speaking at the conference and spoke about TAPE’s fantastic Supporting Shorts film, which has been shown in Vue cinemas.
“I was thrilled to have the opportunity to speak at the National Youth Work Conference Cymru to present TAPE’s Supporting Shorts project and take part in a panel looking at digital youth work. It was a privilege to be a part of this gathering of passionate professionals who are dedicated to creating positive change and empowering young people. The chance to share ideas and engage with such a diverse group of individuals working in youth development, education, and social change is something I appreciate very much.
The screen industries have an undeniable power to influence, educate, and inspire. However, for many young people, these industries can feel like an unreachable world, one that seems reserved for a select few with the right resources or connections. Supporting Shorts and the work of TAPE is focused on breaking down those barriers and ensuring that young people from all walks of life have access to the opportunities that the screen industries provide.
What I find particularly exciting about this project is its potential to transform the way we think about access to creative industries. Often, we think of these fields as exclusive, with entry requiring a certain level of privilege, experience, or networks. But with the right support, guidance, and encouragement, young people can find pathways into the screen industries that are not only accessible but also empowering. It’s about creating spaces where young people are seen, heard, and given the tools to tell their own stories, whether through film, animation, or digital media platforms.
Presenting this project to a group of dedicated youth workers, educators, and community leaders gave me an invaluable chance to reflect on the work already being done in this area and how we can further collaborate to create more inclusive and equitable opportunities for young people. The conversations and insights shared throughout the conference reminded me that youth work is not just about providing services or programs, but about listening to young people, understanding their dreams, and helping them realise their potential.
I look forward to continuing the work of TAPE in making the screen industries and creative ambitions more accessible, inclusive, and empowering for people across Wales and the wider UK.”
–For more information please visit Supporting Shorts
Latest Quality Mark for Youth Work (QMYW) recipients
A huge congratulations to Merthyr Tydfil Youth Service who have been awarded the silver Quality Mark and Cardiff Youth Service who have renewed their bronze award.
The QMYW (which is funded by Welsh Government and administered by the Education Workforce Council (EWC)), is a national award which demonstrates an organisation's excellence. For more information about the QMYW, including how your organisation can gain accreditation, or how you can become an assessor, visit the EWC’s website.
Have your say on proposed amendments to the Code of Professional Conduct and Practice
The Education Workforce Council (EWC) has launched a consultation on an updated draft of the Code of Professional Conduct and Practice. The Code is a key document which makes clear to EWC registrants the principal standards of good conduct and professional practice each is expected to uphold in order to remain registered. Since its introduction, the Code of Professional Conduct and Practice has provided clear guidance to both practitioners, and the public, on what these standards are. As part of the EWC’s legislative requirement to review the Code, the regulator has made a few minor amendments, and welcomes feedback on these proposed changes.
Can you help map youth work services for young people with physical and/or mental health conditions?
As part of a research study funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR), researchers at Manchester University are carrying out a mapping survey to establish current provision of youth work services across England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales.
They are interested in identifying any youth work services supporting young people (YP) who:
- Are aged 11 to 25 years;
- Have a long-term physical condition (e.g., diabetes, asthma) AND/OR;
- Have a long-term mental health condition (e.g., anxiety, depression, self-harm).
If you are aware of any services that meet this description, they would be delighted to hear about them via a short online survey which should take no longer than 15 minutes to complete.
https://tinyurl.com/YWSMapping [tinyurl.com]
Menstrual Hygiene Day – 28 May 2025
Welsh Government will be marking the importance of Menstrual Hygiene Day, this year’s theme is "Together for a period-friendly world".
Period Dignity Leads in every local authority are using the Period Dignity Grant to ensure that free period products are available in schools, colleges and community settings to all those who need them.
Your Period Dignity Lead can provide advice and guidance on the products and training available in your area.
You can follow progress against actions in A Period Proud Plan in our new online tracker.
For more information, please contact perioddignity@gov.wales.
Feel the Hwyl?
Are you interested in getting to know more about Visit Wales’ Campaign Hwyl?
Welsh Government is offering an opportunity for young people or organisations through our youth work sector to gain experience developing the Hwyl campaign through Visit Wales. To register your interest and find out more please get in touch through our youthwork@gov.wales mailbox.
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Unlocking 25+ years of EWC fitness to practise casework expertise Event date:
13th May (online) |
For the first time, the Education Workforce Council (EWC) is sharing its knowledge and insights from over 25 years of regulatory work, drawing on its experience with more than 5,000 cases. This brand-new event aims to assist senior leaders, employers, supply agencies, and governors gain a better insight into its work, and come away with information that will assist future interactions with, and referrals to, the EWC. For more information, and to register for your free ticket, visit the EWC website.
Get in touch via email (youthwork@gov.wales) if you want to contribute to the next newsletter. We'll provide a style guide for submitting articles to us, with information on the word count of articles for the various sections.
Please remember to use #YouthWorkinWales #GwaithIeuenctidCymru when tweeting to raise the profile of Youth Work in Wales.
Follow @ieuenctidcymru on X and Facebook to keep up to date with all news.
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