This spring, ColegauCymru successfully hosted a series of regional Active Wellbeing Forums, bringing together staff from further education colleges across Wales to collaborate, share best practice, and champion health and wellbeing initiatives that support thriving college environments.
Held at three locations across Wales, the forums built on our longstanding commitment to enhancing learner and staff wellbeing through sport and physical activity. The events provided a vital platform for wellbeing leads, sport staff, college learners and external partner organisations to connect and reflect on their shared goals of building more active, inclusive environments.
Each regional forum explored local challenges and opportunities, with sessions highlighting innovative practice, spotlighting learner voice, and encouraging colleges to collaborate on future wellbeing projects.
In South-West Wales, the forum hosted at Coleg Sir Gâr in Llanelli included keynote presentations from Carmarthenshire County Council on the Pentre Awel development - highlighting future wellbeing development in the area. Alongside this were presentations from Platfform on relational approaches to better mental health, and the Urdd on workforce opportunities. College staff and wellbeing ambassadors shared their experiences of developing activity for FE learners.
The North Wales forum, held at Grŵp Llandrillo Menai’s Llangefni Campus, brought together colleges from across North Wales with a regional focus on increasing physical activity and workforce development. Discussion was supported by talks from CIMSPA, The Youth Sport Trust and Actif North Wales along with insight from the College Active Wellbeing team.
In South-East Wales, the final forum of the series was held at The College Merthyr Tydfil, where there was a focus on developing activity for female learners and creating successful workforce development partnerships. Contributors included Platfform, Sport Wales, Actif Merthyr and the Welsh Sports Association with additional presentations from college active wellbeing staff and sports learners.
ColegauCymru Active Wellbeing and Sport Project Manager, Rob Baynham, said,
“The regional forums have been a fantastic opportunity to bring people together, share innovative practice, and learn from the voices of both staff and learners. They’ve provided real momentum as we look ahead to the next phase of our Active Wellbeing Strategy. The insights gathered will be instrumental in shaping a refreshed, future-focused approach that empowers colleges to embed wellbeing at the heart of their culture and practice to drive lasting change across the sector.”
ColegauCymru Chief Executive, David Hagendyk, added,
“These events were underpinned by the belief that colleges are central to creating healthier, more resilient communities. We know that healthier learners are better able to engage, achieve, and contribute - not just within education, but in the workforce and wider society. By connecting practitioners across the country, the forums helped to inspire, motivate, and strengthen the collective effort to make wellbeing a key pillar of further education in Wales. This work is essential if we are serious about building a stronger, fairer, and more prosperous Wales where everyone can thrive.”
Feedback from across all three regions was overwhelmingly positive, with many highlighting the value of connecting with peers and accessing practical tools and ideas to take back to their own institutions.
ColegauCymru is grateful to all participating colleges, staff, and learners for their contributions. We look forward to continuing this work together to ensure that every learner and member of staff in Wales has the opportunity to thrive.
Further Information
ColegauCymru Active Wellbeing Strategy
2020 - 2025
Rob Baynham, ColegauCymru Active Wellbeing and Sport Project Manager
Robert.Baynham@ColegauCymru.ac.uk
