“I like it when it feels familiar, when you know one or two other people there.” 5 Main Themes From Our Young Person’s Project.
A Thematic Analysis of Field Notes from Oct-Dec 2024 from the Mental Health Manifesto- Action for Our Future Project
Prepared by: Dr Michaela James Swansea University, Hannah Spacey Public Health Wales and Anna Boggiani-Lloyd Single Parents Wellbeing
Funded by The National Lottery Community Fund and in Partnership with Mental Health Foundation, Swansea University and Public Health Wales, the Mental Health Manifesto is led by Single ParentsWellbeing (SPW) CIC, based in Cardiff.
The project aims to engage with children and young people (10-24 years) from single parent households to co-design and deliver what they need to create positive pathways to a mentally healthy future. During the project, beneficiaries are given the opportunity to make new connections, have their voices heard and build positive foundations for their future.
The main 5 themes that have emerged are:
1. Facilitating emotional wellbeing and providing emotional support
This is a new theme identified from this set of field notes, however it is an important one and aligns well with this project. It highlights the importance of young people having access to the right education around their wellbeing. One of the key aspects raised was around navigating relationships, whether that be family or friendship relationships.
This is an important theme to emerge as healthy relationships are the foundation of emotional wellbeing. Having people around you that you are able to talk to and having safe spaces is important for young people to grow and develop. Having these safe spaces to talk about emotional wellbeing are also a great place for young people to learn strategies to support their own emotional wellbeing. The game changer football course had a large focus on emotional support and wellbeing. It was aimed at young people from single parent households (SPH) who were struggling with their emotional wellbeing. There were some anxious feelings expressed about getting involved.
During this period, many of the young people and their families have opened up to various members of staff about things that were going on in their lives. This shows the rapport that has been built and emphasises how important those safe spaces are. The young people also feel like they can express how they truly feel which shows that there are trusting relationships between staff and young people, for example:
“It is important for them to have at least one person they are particularly close with to have with them” (Staff)
“This YP turned up and has built a good relationship with staff that she didn't really mind that she was the only one there.” (Staff)
“I didn’t face fear this week but one fear I faced this year was going out with friends”- after talking about facing fears in the football course (CYP)
The project should continue to prioritise creating safe spaces for single parent families and building relationships with them. By doing so the project can continue having open and honest conversations about emotional wellbeing and how best we can support our young people.
2. Encouraging participation and engagement
Encouraging participation and engagement was a big theme that has emerged and separated into further subthemes: gender dynamics, enjoyment and learning environment (including
opportunities, relationships, incentives, inclusivity and support).
This theme highlighted the importance of having adequate staffing at events, to ensure CYP are able to get involved in activities and are able to feel confidence in their engagement. The young people at our events expressed excitement for further events.
“That was so much fun” (CYP)
“A child was upset because they didn’t have enough support when trying to do the gingerbread houses and couldn’t do it alone.” (Staff)
“Lovely to see that when one child was overwhelmed everyone else was patient and gave them time to have their turn to bowl and they made sure that she was okay.” (Staff)
CYP demonstrated caring natures and inclusivity at a lot of events, giving other young people the time and space they needed when they felt overwhelmed or needed extra support. This theme also highlights the importance of the language that is used and how that can make young people feel.
“A young person didn’t want to join the group discussion because of social anxiety. To include them, we wrote the questions down and let them talk about it with their parent. It’s a good idea to have different ways to talk to young people, especially if the usual methods don’t work for some individuals.” (Staff)
“My boy is much more likely to attend other events now he knows it’s not just for younger children." (Parent)
“Turning volunteering tasks into games whereby they work in teams has such a positive impact on the YP and their confidence being volunteers and something we should continue doing.” (Staff)
During the football course, gender dynamics was a key sub-theme to emerge when CYP expressed disappointment when finding out they were the only girl on the course, with one young person saying “I knew I’d be the only girl”.
This theme highlights the importance of holding events that are inclusive and that provide the right support and guidance to the young people.
“I enjoyed the game, and the team talk’ . ‘I learnt that it’s healthier to stay hydrated and it improves your football" (CYP)
“Really good answers and conversations in discussions about importance of deep breathing" (Staff)
The project should continue listening to the voices of young people. Running events that they show interest in while also making sure that they show support and guidance. As well as the appropriate inclusivity for all to enjoy and further engage with future events. It is important to consider age and identity in this thought process.
3. Understanding personal preferences and comfort zones
SPW aims to give opportunities and spaces that work for everyone. This theme is important as when someone feels comfortable in their environment they are more likely to feel comfortable opening up, expressing themselves and contributing positively.
During the sessions, CYP are encouraged to reflect and sare their thoughts about an event so that the team can make improvements for next time and ensure that activities and events are inclusive, accessible and enjoyed by all. Based on this feedback, SPW can make the changes needed to improve the experiences of CYP, as in one example where one CYP explained how playing with Lego is a ‘tool to regulate’ so now Lego is at each Champions 4 Change (C4C) event to ensure that young person feels comfortable and has a safe space.
"He has a particular love of Lego, he didn’t really want to come to the big meet up but when he realised Lego was there, he agreed to come" (Staff)
"Crafts help YP feel more at ease." (Staff)
“I like it when it feels familiar, when you know one or two other people there” (CYP)
“It would be better if it would be an hour and half” (CYP)
“We need to implement our new structure in the new year (check in, half an hour of volunteering eg team meeting or doing other tasks and then the remaining time to be something of their choice.. Kicking a ball around, lego, games, crafts.).” (Staff)
A big part of this is fostering community so the project can offer participants a network of support and activities that they want to attend and will enjoy that fit alongside comfort zones and preferences.
“I reassured him that this is a very small group, some will be for beginners and the facilitators make sure its a safe and kind environment where they wont allow any of that to go on. He responded “ah well, I’d like that then, yes can I join?” (Staff)
“I didn’t realize I was from a single parent family because I still see both my parents and my mum has a new partner, it will be great to meet others like me” (CYP)
The project should continue listening to the needs of its young people and put things in place that supports CYP’s personal preferences and comfort zones.
4. The planning and delivery of sessions
The enjoyment and engagement of a session can be impacted by the planning and delivery and can therefore effect the outcome of the session. Accessibility for all is something that needs to be carefully thought about when planning events, factors such as transport links are essential to consider as this could stop people attending an event at all.
The structure of the sessions is important for engagement but also to ensure that staff have enough time to do everything they set out to do. Factoring in time for feedback is essential for ensuring co-production and making sure events can be improved based on the responses of CYP.
When planning sessions, it is important to think about the staff members that will be in attendance and the relationship that they have with the young people. For the boys who attend sessions, it is important for them to have positive male role models.
"The YP said that surveys would allow them to discuss sensitive topics" although they also said “Some people would find the survey boring”
“If it’s like the passport, I’d forget it, I forget mine all the time" (CYP)
“Unfortunately, we didn’t have time to do the emoji rating at the end of the session but everyone said that they felt better than when they first did at the start” (Staff)
This relates to previous themes, but the notion of listening to young people is an important one. Being able to adapt and react to needs makes this project novel and, will strengthen its efficacy.
It is evident that CYP are confident to share their thoughts and feelings with staff and as such, effective implementation of these into planning and delivery will further empower young people.
When planning sessions, it is important to think about how they will be received and the different needs of the group. Being able to plan ahead and effectively communicate plans with other staff members strengthens the quality and accessibility of sessions. Effective planning and structure can also help CYP to feel comfortable and in control, as they know what’s likely to happen next.
5. Listening to the needs of wider needs of the community
This theme refers to the wider needs of the community, mostly to the parents/carers who bring their CYP to SPW events. For instance, staff noted being able to budget for parental
refreshments. This emphasises the need for the parents to also have social time and respite from the daily challenges of being a single parent. It is also an incentive for them to bring their CYP along to events if they know that there will also be some benefit for them.
There is also a need to make sure that events are accessible via public transport, as this could prevent some families from being able to get involved with certain events.
"Parents sat in another building and really enjoyed having the respite time with other single parents whilst their youths joined the main party in a separate area. This helps a lot with attendance and engagement when the parents also have space and community." (Staff)
"Perhaps when event venues are difficult to access via public transport we put that on the advert" (Staff)
"I took 3 busses to get here, It took me 2 hours 15 mins to get here but I have been concerned about my sons emotional health and I didn’t want him to miss out on this opportunity." (Parent)
The relationships built with parents/carers of CYP are just as important as the ones built with the young people.
Many have expressed how they wished they had found SPW earlier and the positive impact it has made of both their lives and the lives of their children.
Many parents/carers have shown concerns about their child’s confidence and mental wellbeing and have said that SPW is helping their children gain confidence and improving their social interactions and many hope to sign their children up to become C4C’s when they feel ready.
“Parent 2 is thinking about her son joining up for C4C. She is looking for him to improve his confidence in social settings." (Staff)
Even though the project is designed for CYP, it is important to consider parental needs as they will often be the gatekeepers to CYP attending.
It is important to recognise the needs of wider structures which govern CYP’s wellbeing, attendance, participation and engagement. Supporting parents/guardians could be the key to more CYP engaging with the project.
Recommendations
These findings hold valuable implications for young people from single parent households and suggest potential strategies and points to consider for the future and for the development of a mental health manifesto.
The key recommendations from these field notes are:
1. Continue to prioritise creating safe spaces as this facilitates open and honest conversations about emotional wellbeing and how best to support young people.
2. Continue to listen to the voices of young people making sure this is an inclusive process that considers factors such as age and identity.
3. Listening to the needs of CYP and put things in place that supports personal preferences and comfort zones.
4. Plan ahead and effectively communicate plans with other staff members so this strengthens the quality and accessibility of sessions.
5. Supporting parents/guardians could be the key to more CYP engaging with the project - recognise the needs of wider structures.
Find out more about our young person’s project and how to get involved here.