Wolfson Centre attends Youth Work Conference Cymru 2025
10 March 2025
The Wolfson Centre for Young People’s Mental Health was proud to attend the Youth Work Conference Cymru 2025 at Cardiff City Stadium on 20 February.
This year’s event brought together over 400 youth work professionals to explore how partnerships can empower young people and create a more inclusive future. It featured panel talks from leading youth work experts, interactive workshops, networking opportunities, and a closing performance from a youth group. With a packed schedule and a strong focus on collaboration, it was an inspiring day for everyone involved.
Our team was there to share insights from our Skills for Adolescent Wellbeing study (SWELL), which explores whether an online group cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) programme for young people can help protect against depression and improve quality of life for adolescents. We also spoke about our Youth Advisory Group (YAG), which meets monthly to advise us on research about young people's mental health and sets the agenda for many of our centre events and activities, while developing valuable skills such as communication and public speaking. Events like this are an important opportunity to connect with those working directly with young people, ensuring that research is informed by real-world experiences and can be put into practice effectively.
Representing the Wolfson Centre were our comms officer Margarida, researchers from the SWELL trial Emily and Ellie, our public involvement lead Emma (who oversees the YAG), and one of our youth advisors. Their presence helped spark important conversations with youth workers about how research and practice can work together to better support young people’s mental health and helped to provide resources and information on the work we do at the centre.
Emma, who leads public involvement at the Wolfson Centre, reflected on the event:
"It was fantastic to meet so many passionate youth workers who are keen to support young people in engaging with research. The YAG is a great way for young people to shape the future of mental health support while gaining skills and making new connections."
Our comms officer also shared their thoughts:
"Being invited to events like this is incredibly valuable. It allows us to bring research into spaces where it can make a real impact—youth workers play a crucial role in supporting young people, and their insights help us ensure our work is both relevant and useful in practice."
The event was a great success, with strong interest at our stall and many positive conversations. It was inspiring to see so many people coming together with a shared commitment to improving young people’s futures, and we look forward to continuing these discussions in the months ahead.
Learn more about public involvement at the Centre and our Youth Advisory Group.
Read about our Skills for Adolescent Wellbeing study which we are currently recruiting young people 13 -19 and their parents for.