Starting Well Network

The Starting Well Network – formerly the Cardiff Children, Young People and Families Network (CCYPFN) – is a network of nearly 400 members of third sector organisations and community groups who work to benefit and improve the well-being of children, young people, their families and carers in Cardiff.

The network co-ordinates and maintains communication channels between the third and statutory sectors, supporting third sector representatives to various strategic groups across Cardiff.

The Starting Well Network provides members with the opportunity to:

Find out more about the work of other third sector organisations in Cardiff;
Share information and best practice, and exchange ideas with colleagues both within and across sectors;
Be part of a collective voice for the third sector in Cardiff;
Campaign for better services and influence local, national and regional policy and strategies;
Raise issues and identify gaps in service delivery.

Membership and all network events are free

Membership is free and opened to members of C3SC working with children, young people (aged 0-25), their families and carers in Cardiff. This can include national or regional third sector organisations’ local projects or offices if they are based in Cardiff.

Alongside opportunities for networking, connection, and learning from peers, the Forum gives an opportunity for Third Sector groups working with children, young people and families to meet up and receive up to date information from guest speakers and presenters, provide insight and influence, develop solutions to local challenges, and make alliances.

Funding Bid Call Out following the Last Few Meetings:

Cardiff Third Sector Council’s Starting Well Network has now held two meetings to discuss the issue raised by our members of young people being denied access to Mental Health support services because their symptoms are not diagnosed as severe enough. We created a conversation with Members to look at connecting services to create a larger support pathway for young people and their parents/carers and families, and to work with our Members to develop their capacity to do so, via a coordinated funding application.

Our last session saw around a dozen organisations represented, a number of whom were keen to be part of a joint project / application looking at resourcing things like:

Staffing: Youth workers, mentors, psychologists, trainers
Training: Trauma-informed practice, youth mental health, peer mentoring
Facilities: Safe spaces, transport, online platforms
Materials: Workshop supplies, promotional content, multilingual resources
Coordination: Mapping services, referral pathways, cross-organisation planning

We now invite any other member organisations providing services for young people who would like to be part of a joint bid aimed at enhancing the support they provide on preventative mental health support, to make contact with us by emailing thomas.c@c3sc.org.uk by 19^th December 2025.

To find out more:

Email Thomas Crockett at thomas.c@c3sc.org.uk or call him on 07973 725 502 if you’d like to find out more about joining the network.

Network members are always welcome to share your ideas and co-produce the next meeting’s agenda. Please feel free to get in touch using the contact information above.