Frontline Network Wales
Frontline Network Wales
The Frontline Network Wales has been facilitated by Cymorth Cymru since 2020.
The Network has hosted regular online meetings across Wales, listening to the views of frontline staff on different topics. The focus of these events has ranged from discussing changes to the work environment as COVID restrictions eased to asking how recruitment and retention in the sector can be improved.
Emerging reports and recommendations have subsequently been shared with government, commissioners and services. For example frontline workers’ insights have fed directly into the Welsh Government’s new task and finish groups set up to develop a workforce training, development and recognition framework for the sector. At times, Members of the Senedd have also joined Network events, for example to explore priorities for the government’s upcoming term.
“Frontline Network Wales participants have genuinely influenced policy this year - gaining recognition and securing support for themselves and their peers.” - Katie Dalton, Director of Cymorth Cymru
Frontline Network Wales facilitates quarterly events, which provide a regular opportunity to bring together frontline workers throughout Wales to network, share expertise, and experience, and link to decision makers.
Cymorth Cymru is the representative body for providers of homelessness, housing and support services in Wales.
Find out more about Frontline Network Wales and how to get involved.
You can also join the mailing list to receive updates here.
Frontline Network Wales Reports
A Heart of Help – Further exploration of embedding relational values in the delivery of substance use services
After A Heart of Help was published, Platfform approached Cymorth Cymru to facilitate additional work to further explore how to embed a relational approach in substance use services.
They producted the report "A Heart of Help – Further exploration of embedding relational values in the delivery of substance use services", by Alex Osmond and Jordan Brewer, Cymorth Cymru, in partnership with the Third Sector Substance Use Network and the Frontline Network Wales. It includes the perspectives of members of the networks and their colleagues. This was undertaken through focus groups with staff who have direct experience of supporting people with alcohol or substance use issues, giving them the chance to comment and reflect on the relational values and their implementation.
White Paper on Ending Homelessness in Wales
The Welsh Government has recently consulted on a White Paper for new homelessness legislation in Wales. The expertise from frontline workers in Wales has shaped a large proportion of the panel recommendations which were then taken on by the Welsh Government.
In December 2023 Cymorth Cymru held a round of Frontline Network Wales meet-ups, where we delivered a presentation on the White Paper and gathered feedback from frontline workers. In January we submitted a response to the White Paper from the Frontline Network Wales. Please see here for the White Paper on Ending Homelessness in Wales.
Welsh Government Draft Mental Health and Wellbeing Strategy 2024-2034: A response from the Frontline Network Wales
During April and May 2024, Cymorth Cymru held three online meetings. The meetings incorporated a presentation of the key elements of the draft strategy, online polling to collect feedback, and listening to frontline workers’ experiences of supporting people experiencing mental health problems. Over 100 people from 36 organisations registered for these events and 58 people took part in the interactive polling.
The final report outlining frontline workers’ ideas and concerns was submitted to the Welsh Government to help shape the strategy.
Struggles from the Frontline: The impact of the cost of living crisis on frontline homelessness and housing support workers in Wales
The Frontline Network Wales is delivered by Cymorth Cymru in partnership with the St Martin’s Frontline Network.
Frontline homelessness and housing support staff did an extraordinary job during the COVID-19 pandemic, keeping tens of thousands of people safe and continuing to provide critical support despite the health risks posed to them and their loved ones.
But now these workers are facing a perfect storm of low pay and the cost of living crisis. The very people who we count on to help people out of homelessness are being pushed closer to the edge, being forced to use food banks, choosing between heating and eating, suffering from increasingly poor mental health, and struggling to pay rising rent, fuel and energy bills.
White Paper on Ending Homelessness in Wales
The Welsh Government has recently consulted on a White Paper for new homelessness legislation in Wales. The expertise from frontline workers in Wales has shaped a large proportion of the panel recommendations which were then taken on by the Welsh Government.
In December Cymorth Cymru held a round of Frontline Network Wales meet-ups, where we delivered a presentation on the White Paper and gathered feedback from frontline workers. In January we submitted a response to the White Paper from the Frontline Network Wales. Please see here for the White Paper on Ending Homelessness in Wales.