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CTM Leaders' Network Headlines - 24 October 2025

Headlines and actions from CTM2030 Community Leaders’ Network (CLN) meeting (24 October 2025)

Session Materials: All the session resources, including this highlight report are available on our CTM Community Leaders’ Online Hub.

Meeting Chair: Claire Thompson, Executive Director of Strategy and Transformation, CTM UHB

Session Overview

This meeting was a single topic led discussion around the future of mental health and wellbeing provision across Cwm Taf Morgannwg. The Mental health and wellbeing strategy 2025 to 2035 was published earlier this year. It outlines an ambitious vision for Wales where people will “live in a country which promotes, supports and empowers them to improve their mental health and wellbeing, and will be free from stigma and discrimination.” It has a strong focus on prevention, reducing inequalities and providing earlier support for people.

As such, as we move forwards with implementation of the strategy nationally and locally, the voice of the third sector in CTM has never been more vital. To help us plan for an effective roll out of this strategy across CTM, third sector partners from across the region, alongside health board, Public Health Wales and NHS Performance and Improvement colleagues, came together to explore:

  • What the new national strategy means for our communities;
  • How we can work together to deliver it effectively on a regional and local level; and
  • The critical role of partnership in building a system that supports mental health and wellbeing for all.

A summary of the Mental Health discussions is available, along with emerging themes identified and planned next steps.

Additional Leaders Network Session: Shaping the Future of CTM NHS Charity

At the end of the meeting, there was also an opportunity for the network to contribute to the development of a new brand identity for Cwm Taf Morgannwg NHS Charity. Community leaders were invited to view and provide feedback on early design concepts for the CTM NHS Charity’s new brand developed in partnership with creative design agency jamjar. These creative concepts build on insights from the Charity’s brand discovery workshops with community leaders and network members, NHS staff and patients held during September and October. The new branding is intended to help ensure the Charity’s future identity feels relevant and representative of the communities we serve.

The draft concepts presentation is now available on the Community Leaders’ Network hub for review. You can use the link to view the draft assets and provide feedback. The linked page will also be refreshed to include new updated creative designs over the next couple of weeks, which will also be shared more widely for public feedback. Following additional feedback and refinement over the festive period, the new Charity branding will launch in early 2026.    

Network colleagues are encouraged to share any feedback or comments directly with the Charity team and can sign up for the latest updates on the CTM NHS Charity: ctm.charity@wales.nhs.uk

Learn more about our NHS Charity: Cwm Taf Morgannwg NHS Charity

Other Highlights

  1. Patient Contact Services

At the July CLN meeting, leaders were introduced to our new Patient Centred Contact - Transformation Programme. This work is aimed at is ensuring we provide the best possible service at every stage of a patient’s healthcare journey.  For example

    • Giving patients’ a choice - personalised to their needs
    • Using technology to make communication easier/faster
    • Using technology to answer simple queries
    • Providing greater access to ‘person to person’ communication, tailored to the needs of our patients.

We looked at and discussed:

  • Current ways in which patients are contacted by us, and how they contact the health board (At present: telephone | post | text| website)
  • The different types of contact over the different stages of a patient’s healthcare journey; and
  • We asked - how could CTM provide the best possible patient contact experience for our patients?

During the session, and as part of a follow - on public survey, our communities and patients have been invited to give us their feedback of these two important questions, to help us shape our Patient Contact Programme of work:

  • What would make contacting the Health Board easier?
  • If you could choose, what would be your preferred way of receiving information (e.g. appointment, waiting times) about your health journey from the Health Board?

Patient Communication Digital Survey

You’ll be hearing much more about the development of this programme at future Network meetings, with many more opportunities for you to get involved in the shaping of the programme as it develops.

  1. Community recognition

At the Network we took a moment to recognise a few of our fantastic mental health community leaders who have been recognised for their work and dedication recently this past couple of months:

  • Katy Thomas and all the wonderful volunteers at Mothers Matters for their Gold and Silver awards at this month’s national Mental Health Wales Awards
  • Darren Thomas, runner up in the ‘inspiring leader category’ in the Mental Health Wales Awards
  • Rhian Mannings at 2 Wish Cymru and 2 Wish for such inspiring leadership around suicide prevention – making global headlines for her involvement with the new National Suicide Prevention Network.   

Keep us informed of your proud moments by emailing Natasha.weeks2@wales.nhs.uk. Any recognitions will be added to our Community Leaders’ Hub.

  1. CTM Veterans and Armed Forces Health and Wellbeing Report

Veterans and Armed Forces Health and Wellbeing Day

We are pleased to share with you the publication of Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board’s (CTM UHB) highlights report - from our inaugural Veterans and Armed Forces Health and Wellbeing Day, held on Thursday, 26 June 2025, as part of Armed Forces Week.

The accompanying report provides an overview of key outcomes, participant feedback, and the next steps in strengthening our partnership approach to supporting the Armed Forces community.

This collaborative event, hosted by Valley Veterans Hub, brought together representatives from over 30 organisations across health, local government, the Armed Forces, and the voluntary sector. The day provided a dedicated forum to recognise and respond to the specific health and wellbeing needs of Veterans, serving personnel, reservists, and their families across the Cwm Taf Morgannwg region.   

A core part of the event was providing our CTM veterans and Armed forces community with a brochure of local support organisations.

We are proud to share this publication with you and would welcome any opportunity to discuss this multi-sectoral partnership, and how it can shape future collaborative initiatives to support those who have served, and continuing to serve.

Further highlights of the event: CTM UHB - Veterans & Armed Forces community partnership

Veterans and Armed Forces Highlights

King’s Award for Voluntary Service for 2025

Congratulations to Valley Veterans on being awarded the King’s Award for Voluntary Service for 2025. This is the highest award a local voluntary group can receive in the UK and is equivalent to an MBE

Find out about Valley Veterans: Equine therapy at the heart of an award-winning, veteran-led community hub in the Rhondda Valley and about the King’s Awards: Celebrating The King’s Award for Voluntary Service 2025!

Future Meeting Dates

(Scan the QR code to save to calendars)

  • Friday 23 January 2026:
  • Bridgend Location - TBC
  • 9:30am - 11:30am

Future Meeting Dates QR Code

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

If you have any questions, please get in touch with:

Natasha Weeks
Head of Public Engagement and Involvement, CTM UHB
Email: Natasha.weeks2@wales.nhs.uk
Mobile: 07890640585

 

Diolch | Thank You