Snakes 'N' Ladders Conference 2025

(Snakes 'N' Ladders Conference 2025 *By invitation only. Spaces are limited and offered on a 'first come, first served' basis, please confirm early to avoid disappointment.)

Join us for the second exciting conference of Snakes ‘N’ Ladders – The Other Pandemic project.

This day of updates and shared learning is aimed at professionals and organisations working with young people aged 11–25 in Merthyr Tydfil, particularly those supporting emotional health, resilience, and wellbeing.

The event will:

1. Showcase two pilot approaches co-produced by young people and partners to build relationships and trust between young people in educational or community organisations. We will share the journey, the resources developed and key findings.
2. Present a third co-produced pilot offering open access support - enabling young people to connect directly with a trusted adult, without the need for formal referral.

You will have the opportunity to participate in two of the three workshops and:

• Learn more about the ongoing pilot projects.
• Question the learning and contribute to how elements of the pilot can be sustained to impact on system change.
• Register your interest in supporting future initiatives.
• Indicate how you'd like to stay informed as the work develops and insights are gathered.

• Sue Walker, Head of Education, MTCBC
• Councillor Lisa Mytton, Children and Young Persons Champion, Merthyr Tydfil
• Joe Redmond, Funding Officer at The National Lottery Community Fund
• Julie McDonald, Senior Public Health Practitioner, Cwm Taf Morgannwg Public Health Team

1. ‘Transition’

Led by Sue Walker, Head of Education, MTCBC, supported by Dr Sion Tetlow, Wales Institute of Health & Social Care USW. Sue is champion of the transition pilot to support pupils moving from year 6 into year 7 at high school. Sion is the independent evaluator from University of South Wales.

In this workshop practitioners and young people involved in the transition project, will share the created resources, their impact, evaluation and key learning.

‘2. Open Access Provision’

Led by Samantha Morgan, Youth Services Manager, MTCBC. Sam is champion of the non-referral, open access to help pilot, based at Cyfarthfa High School.

Sam will share how the open access pilot provision was designed and set up in partnership with students aged 11 to 16. Sam will share the goals of the pilot, how it differs from existing youth provision, and current engagement with the school-based youth worker.

3.‘Community Videos and Information Platform'

Led by Treena Davies, Consultant Co-Pro Lab Wales & Liam Mee, Mee Creative Director.

Treena has led consultations with young people to find the best social media platform to host information for them. Treena will share key learning from the consultations.

Liam is engaged to create community information videos for young people. These videos will be hosted long term on the identified social media platform(s). Liam will share which community services young people want to know about, and how they want the information presented.

• Sue Walker, Head of Education, MTCBC
• Samantha Morgan, Youth Services Manager, Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council
• Lee-Anne McCarthy, Associate Assistant Headteacher/Designated Safeguarding Lead, Cyfarthfa High School
• Tom Phillips, Head of Year 7, Afon Taf High School
• Liam Mee - MeeCreative /Director
• Dr Sion Tetlow, Wales Institute of Health and Social Care, University of South Wales

Places are limited to 70 attendees. Registration closes: Monday 10th November 2025 at 4pm.

? Conference Details:

• Date: Thursday 4th December 2025
• Time: 09:30–14:00
• Venue: The Orbit Centre, Merthyr Tydfil, CF48 1DL

Registration closes: Thursday 13th November 2025 at 12 noon.

For more information, please contact:Janice Watkins – [email protected] or Hayley Pandolfo – [email protected]

Snakes ‘N’ Ladders – The Other PandemicYoung People of Merthyr TydfilThe National Lottery Community FundMerthyr Tydfil County Borough CouncilMerthyr Tydfil Borough Wide Youth ForumSafer Merthyr TydfilVoluntary Action Merthyr TydfilBarnardo’s CymruThe Lloyds Bank FoundationCwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board

Info: Opening remarks from Children and Young Persons Champion, Lisa Mytton, and from Sue Walker, Head of Education at Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council.

Info: Project update from the Youth Advisory Panel.

Info: Please make your way to your first pre-allocated workshop.

Info: Updates and key learning from the Mind Our Future Grants, shared by Joe Redmond, Funding Officer for The National Lottery Community Fund.

Info: Cwm Taf Morgannwg Public Health Team: Working With Snakes 'N' Ladders Youth Advisory Panel.

Info: Marketing, Recruitment, and Safeguarding.

Info: A buffet lunch will be provided. Please communicate any special dietary needs.

Info: Please make your way to your second pre-allocated workshop.

Info: Closing remarks from Chris Hole, Head of Prevention at Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council.

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Host or Publisher MTCBC / Safer Merthyr Tydfil