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Newsletter: September 2025
Welcome to the Children and Young People's Wellbeing @ Exeter Research Network newsletter
Contents:
NEWS | EVENTS | OPPORTUNITIES | RESOURCES
Keep reading to discover recent network member publications, seminars, events, training opportunities, and useful resources.
As we start the new year, don't forget to show network support by tagging us in your professional profile and research projects. You’ll find more details on how to do this below.
We'd love to share your latest projects, publications, events and opportunities. Just contact cypwellbeing@exeter.ac.uk
NEWS
New Network Theme: Interested in Social or Green Prescribing?
Following feedback from the CYPW Network Symposium and survey, we’re exploring a new research theme for the Network in this area. If you are interested or connected to research in this area, we’d love to hear from you.
Please get in touch with us at cypwellbeing@exeter.ac.uk to discuss further and keep an eye on future newsletters for updates.
Outdoor Play Linked to Children’s Social-Emotional Competency
A new study of 2,568 children in Bradford highlights the importance of outdoor play for social-emotional development. Researchers found that increased outdoor play was associated with better social-emotional competency, while park visits showed inconsistent effects.
Benefits varied by ethnicity, area deprivation, and weekday versus weekend play, reflecting cultural and contextual differences. Notably, 34% of children did not play outdoors on school days, and 20% avoided outdoor play on weekends. Providing safe, local, and culturally appropriate spaces for children to play could help improve mental health and social-emotional skills across diverse urban communities. Read the full article here https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666558125000594
Shared Components in Family-Focused Interventions: New Research Findings
A new study in the Journal of Prevention explores how family-focused interventions address parental domestic violence and abuse (DVA), mental ill-health (MH), and substance misuse (SU). Despite frequent overlap, services are often delivered separately. Researchers conducted an Intervention Components Analysis of 164 interventions to identify shared components with cross-cutting benefits. Strikingly, none of the 20 components reviewed were uniquely linked to improved outcomes across DVA, MH, and SU. Integrated interventions were less effective for MH and SU than single-issue approaches. Findings highlight the need for innovative designs that align more closely with the underlying processes driving these complex challenges. Read the full article here.
NIHR-Funded Project Launches with Torbay and Coventry Councils
Congratulations to CYPW Network Steering Committee member Dr Thomas El-Hoss, who has been awarded NIHR funding for a two-year research project titled Supporting Reunification: Learning from Applied Research. The study will work with Torbay Council and Coventry City Council to explore how local authorities in England can develop more effective services to support children returning home from care.
Using an embedded research approach, the project will involve interviews with parents, young people, and service providers, alongside analysis of internal local authority data. The research aims to identify what helps or hinders stable reunifications and to produce guidance and resources that support the planning and delivery of reunification services across England.
The Power of Words in ADHD Research
A new article in The Lancet Psychiatry highlights how language shapes understanding, research, and public attitudes toward ADHD. Words can either reinforce stigma or promote respect and compassion. The authors call for researchers, clinicians, and policymakers to adopt terminology that avoids discrimination and better reflects the lived experiences of people with ADHD. Shifting to respectful, person-centred language can foster more accurate perceptions, improve clinical practice, and support individuals in navigating challenges. This dialogue invites the ADHD community and professionals alike to consider the impact of their words and commit to positive, inclusive change. Read the full article here:
https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanpsy/article/PIIS2215-0366(25)00167-1/fulltext
New National Mental Health Service Launches with Exeter Support
A new national mental health service, Towards, has opened its first high street therapy hub in Leeds, offering in-person and online therapy with no waiting lists. The Leeds hub is the first of many planned locations throughout the UK and is staffed by a team of fully qualified and qualifying therapists with experience across adult, child, and young people services. Supported by the University of Exeter’s Cedar Create team, Towards aims to address the UK’s shortage of therapists through the Towards Academy, which trains new practitioners via a programme developed by Cedar. The initiative focuses on practical, in-person learning and widening access to the profession. Further hubs are planned nationwide in 2025 and 2026, with the vision of making therapy as accessible as visiting the optician. There’s more information here.
Parents and young people needed for new neurodivergence study
Parents, carers, and young people aged 13–17 are invited to take part in groundbreaking research led by Alma Foster, doctoral student and trainee educational psychologist at the University of Exeter. The study explores why some young people self-diagnose as neurodivergent, how this affects families, and what support could help. Alma aims to highlight young people’s voices—often missing from public debate—and examine whether self-diagnosis is harmful or a step toward self-understanding. Parents and carers can use this link to read more about the study and to give their consent for their young person to take part. Please contact Alma at af712@exeter.ac.uk with any questions.
Help Needed: Study on Identifying and Supporting Young Carers
Drs Lauren Herlitz and Claire Powell at the NIHR Children and Families Policy Research Unit at the University College London (UCL) are seeking healthcare professionals for their study on how professionals decide when a child’s caring role becomes ‘too much’. Devon is one of the recruitment sites.
They’re especially looking for GPs, nurses, OTs, paediatricians, paramedics, and others in healthcare. You don’t need direct experience with young carers — just relevant insight from your role. More info and sign up: UCL study link or contact l.herlitz@ucl.ac.uk
LOCAL EVENT- The Big Krispies Charity Challenge – 11th October 2025
Tim and Kelly Barnes are marking 25 years of running Krispies Fish & Chips by taking on a huge challenge – raising £25,000 for charity in just one day! On Saturday 11th October, Krispies will be serving their famous Fish & Chips for just £5 at both Exeter and Exmouth shops. Every penny raised will go directly to CIC HeadsUp Mental Health Support, providing vital early help to children across East Devon. Krispies staff are working for free and suppliers are donating produce, so ALL money goes to charity. Pop the date in your diary and enjoy fish & chips for a cause! https://www.krispies.co.uk/headsup
We would love to share your news here- please let us know about your publications and awards!
EVENTS
Seminar: Universal Mental Health Interventions in Schools: Reflections from the Education for Wellbeing Trial
Join PHSS and the CYPW Network, to hear findings from the Education for Wellbeing Trial, a Department for Education–funded programme involving 32,655 pupils across 513 schools. The trial evaluated a range of mental health and wellbeing interventions in primary and secondary schools, exploring both impact and sustainability. Speakers include Professor Jessica Deighton (UCL/Anna Freud) and Dr Anna March (ChYMe, Exeter).
Monday 29th September, 12–1pm in JS07 Smeall at the St Luke’s Campus, University of Exeter. No registration required—just come
along! Please share with colleagues.
CYPW Network Seminar: Outcome Predictors in ADHD
The CYP Wellbeing @Exeter Research Network invites staff and students to a seminar with Dr Valeria Parlatini, Associate Professor and Honorary Consultant in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at the University of Southampton/Solent NHS Trust. Dr Parlatini’s research focuses on identifying predictors of mental health outcomes to personalise clinical care, with a particular focus on ADHD.
Tuesday 21st October, 12-1pm at St Luke’s Campus (room TBC) or online via TEAMS
Open to all disciplines. Please share with colleagues.
If you have a suggestion of a speaker for a future network seminar or would like us to promote your event, please contact us cypwellbeing@exeter.ac.uk .
Upcoming Training: Family Therapy for Eating Disorders (FT-AN)
Join CEDAR for an intensive 4-day training on Family Therapy for Eating Disorders (FT-AN), also known as the Maudsley Approach, running on 6th, 7th, 13th, and 14th October 2025. This course equips clinical staff with skills to support families of young people with eating disorders, including Anorexia and Bulimia Nervosa. It’s ideal for multidisciplinary CYP teams. Visit the event webpage for more information and to register. The final date to book is Friday 3rd October.
For queries, please contact: createprojects-cedar@exeter.ac.uk.
Can Minecraft help therapists connect with children and families?
Discover how digital tools like videogames and digital sandtrays are transforming therapeutic work with children, young people, and families. This interactive online course explores how these tools can enhance engagement and outcomes in both face-to-face and online settings. Ideal for systemic practitioners, family therapists, and those working therapeutically with young people. Delivered by Ellie Finch, an expert in digital therapy with neurodivergent clients, this training offers fresh, practical insights. It’s taking place online on Thursday 12th March 2026
For more information and to register visit the event page above or email CREATEprojects-cedar@exeter.ac.uk
OPPORTUNITIES
Call for Contributions: Improving Outcomes for Looked-After Children
Parliament’s POST is preparing a new briefing on improving outcomes and support for looked-after children (LAC) and their families, to be published in December 2025. Evidence shows that LAC face greater risks of poorer educational attainment, mental health challenges, and interactions with the justice system. This POSTnote will review recent research, highlight effective interventions, and consider vulnerable groups, including unaccompanied asylum-seeking children. Contributions are invited until 7th October 2025 via the online form. Submissions must follow POST’s contributor guidance. For more information, visit the project page and help shape evidence that can inform future policy.
VACANCY: Lecturer (Supervisor/Tutor – CYP SFP)
CEDAR, within the University of Exeter Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, are recruiting a part-time Lecturer (0.2 FTE) on a fixed-term contract until 31st December 2026. The role focuses on teaching, supervision, and tutorials for trainees on the PGDip Psychological Therapies Practice (Children, Young People and Families), specifically delivering Systemic Family Practice (SFP). Duties include skills-based tutorials, workshops, supervision, marking, and supporting programme delivery, with most activity expected to be in-person. For more information visit the University Job Site. For informal enquiries, contact Rachel Coles (R.Coles3@exeter.ac.uk). Apply by 30th September 2025.
Call for Chair: Service Children’s Progression Alliance (SCiP Alliance)
The CYPW Network has been invited to engage with the Service Children’s Progression Alliance through the South West Hub. Rebecca Oliver, NHS Somerset Armed Forces Community Officer, is seeking a Chair or Co-Chair to lead the hub, supporting and championing the educational progression of service children in the region. This role offers an opportunity to influence policy, practice, and partnership working, ensuring service children are well supported in their learning journey. For more details and to express your interest, visit the South West Hub | SCiP Alliance webpage.
Engaged & Participatory Research Fund 2025–26
Applications are still open for the Engaged and Participatory Research Fund (EPR), supporting projects that bring together University of Exeter staff and external partners through collaborative, participatory approaches. With a total fund of £70,000, applicants can apply for £1,000–£10,000 to develop projects that deliver mutual benefit for all partners involved.
The scheme is open to academic and professional staff at all levels, as well as postgraduate students (with a staff co-applicant). Applications must be co-created with an external partner.
The deadline is Friday 10th October at
10am. For more information and an application form visit https://www.exeter.ac.uk/research/publicengagement/funding/.
New CPD Opportunity: Multi-Family Group Training 2025
CEDAR Create is pleased to offer Multi-Family Group Training: An Experiential Training 2025, a three-day online CPD event running 22nd- 24th October, 09:30–16:30 via Zoom.
This evidence-based training introduces clinicians to the structure and impact of multi-family group treatment, a powerful adjunct to single-family therapy. Participants will engage in key exercises, take on roles in created families, and explore systemic facilitation techniques, following the Maudsley Manual framework.
Open to clinicians in CAMHS and adult services, especially those working with eating disorders.
For more information and to book visit Cedar Create | Multi-Family Group Training: An Experiential Training 2025. And contact createprojects-cedar@exeter.ac.uk with questions.
Funding Opportunity: Wellcome Mental Health Award – Early Intervention for Young People
The Wellcome Mental Health Award is funding innovative research to transform early intervention for anxiety, depression, and psychosis in young people. This two-phase award supports scalable interventions that can be tested in real-world settings. Applications are open for the Foundation Phase and offer £200,000 over 12 months to develop proposals, with around 20 awards available. Successful teams may progress to the Impact Phase (from 2027), with funding of £5–8 million for up to 5 years. Projects must demonstrate strong evidence, potential for scale, and partnerships with implementing organisations in the UK or a low-and middle-income country (LMIC).
For more information visit wellcome.org. he deadline for applications for the Foundation Phase is 11th November 2025.
Generation New Era: New UK-Wide Birth Cohort Study
The Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) is funding Generation New Era, a major longitudinal study following the lives of 30,000 children born in 2026 and their families. Beginning in late 2026 and led by Co-Directors Professor Alissa Goodman and Professor Lisa Calderwood of the UCL Centre for Longitudinal Studies and Professor Pasco Fearon of the University of Cambridge, the first wave of data will be collected when children are 9–10 months old, capturing insights into family economic and social environments, as well as children’s health, wellbeing, and development. Researchers and stakeholders are invited to shape the study’s design through a series of consultations taking place over the coming months (6th, 8th, 24th and 21st October). Anyone interested in future data use is encouraged to contribute. Find out more and register via the Help shape Generation New Era webpage.
Exeter–Paris-Saclay Strategic Partnership: Call for Proposals (25–26)
The University of Exeter and Université Paris-Saclay have launched the first Bilateral Strategic Funding Scheme, following their July 2025 agreement. Open to all disciplines—with priority in climate science, law, AI and data, sport and health, and global health—the scheme supports collaboration through four programmes: Seed Fund Grants (up to €2,000/£1,700), Accelerator Grants (up to €10,000/£8,500), Visiting Research Student Fellowships, and Professional Development exchanges. Current calls include Seed Fund (deadline 20th October) and Accelerator Grants (deadline 10th November), with a professional Development Programme call to follow shortly. Full guidelines and application details are available from the Partnership Website or contact GP-Funding@exeter.ac.uk.
Nuffield Foundation Strategic Fund – Call for Proposals
The Nuffield Foundation’s Strategic Fund is offering up to £15 million to support transformative ideas addressing major themes in UK public policy. Grants of £1–3 million are available for projects that combine rigorous research with clear impact, particularly those that are multidisciplinary, experimental, or innovative. Proposals should respond to one or more of the Foundation’s five priorities: prosperity and fairness; inclusion in a changing society; science and technology for people; climate change and society; and effective, trustworthy institutions.
The next deadline is 16th March 2026. Find out more: Strategic Fund | Apply for Funding | Nuffield Foundation
Do you have Opportunities for Internships and Projects
The Network are often approached by PhD students and others seeking relevant internships or project opportunities. If you have any opportunities available—either short-term, research-based, or practical—we’d love to hear from you. We can share them directly with students or add them to our newsletter. If you're able to offer any opportunities, please contact us at cypwellbeing@exeter.ac.uk.
Let the world know you're a member of the CYP Wellbeing @ Exeter Research Network
As a member of the CYP Wellbeing Network you can update your university profile to add a ‘label’ which shows that you are a member. Adding this label will provide you with increased visibility (internally and externally) as an Exeter Research Network member, as it will enable your profile to be shared on the network’s online membership lists and search tools.
Adding a network label is quick and easy and there are instructions here. Please note that this label is not linked to your communications preferences for the network, and will not be removed if you unsubscribe from mailing lists.
Showcase Network Support: Tag CYPW Network in WorkTribe
Tagging the Children and Young People’s Wellbeing Research Network in your projects on WorkTribe highlights the value of the Network, supports its growth and capacity to provide more support to members. If the Children and Young People’s Wellbeing Research Network has contributed to your project, you or your team as members can tag it to showcase that support.
Examples include receiving seed funding, discovering funding opportunities via network communications, forming collaborations through the network, or using the network for engagement activities. Recognising network contributions not only strengthens your project but also enhances the visibility and impact of the networks themselves. Tagging Networks is very simple to do and will enable them to track the bids and projects which may arise directly or indirectly as a result of network membership. Very brief guidance is available here. Thank you.
Showcase Network Support: Tag CYPW Network in WorkTribe
Tagging the Children and Young People’s Wellbeing Research Network in your projects on WorkTribe highlights the value of the Network, supports its growth and capacity to provide more support to members. If the Children and Young People’s Wellbeing Research Network has contributed to your project, you or your team as members can tag it to showcase that support.
Examples include receiving seed funding, discovering funding opportunities via network communications, forming collaborations through the network, or using the network for engagement activities. Recognising network contributions not only strengthens your project but also enhances the visibility and impact of the networks themselves. Tagging Networks is very simple to do and will enable them to track the bids and projects which may arise directly or indirectly as a result of network membership. Very brief guidance is available here. Thank you.
RESOURCES
Resources from Dr Maria Loades’ Talk on Single-Session Interventions
Thank you to everyone who joined us for Dr Maria Loades’ talk on scaling out single-session interventions (SSIs) for adolescent depression. Dr Loades, Clinical Psychologist and Reader at the University of Bath, shared insights into how SSIs can improve early access to mental health support for young people. Her work, backed by NIHR fellowships, focuses on expanding effective, brief interventions in real-world settings.
Her slides are available from the CYPW Network website here.
And links to the Research Outputs & Resources she referenced are below:
- Infographic: Where young people look for help online and on social media, and what they think of what they find University of Bath publication
- Paper on young people’s online help-seeking PubMed link
- Young people’s views on single-session interventions PubMed link
- Gillick competence assessment process for low-risk online anonymous studies PubMed link
- Frontline professionals’ use of and attitudes towards technology to support interventions for adolescents with depressive symptoms PubMed link
- Career Development (NIHR) resources- Maria Loades Blog and NIHR Case study
CYPW Network Seminar recording- Dr Yinyin Zang
We were delighted to welcome so many of you to Dr. Yinyin Zang’s seminar on Developing a Culturally Informed Guided Written Exposure Therapy: Cross-Cultural Design and Empirical Evaluation in Chinese Adolescents and Adults with PTSD. The session offered insights into culturally adapted, scalable PTSD interventions. Dr. Zang’s work highlights innovative approaches to improving access to care in low-resource settings.
If you missed it or would like to revisit the session, you can access the recording from the CYPW Network website.
Introducing IN-Hub: Free Neurodiversity Resources for Schools
The University of Exeter is proud to launch IN-Hub, a free, evidence-informed database designed to support school staff working with neurodivergent children. With around 17% of pupils in mainstream schools having SEND, IN-Hub provides accessible, rated resources to help improve inclusion and educational outcomes.
Resources include lesson plans, classroom strategies, activities, and training materials—each appraised by researchers, educators, and families. IN-Hub aims to close the gap in support and empower teachers with practical, trustworthy tools.
Explore the hub, share with colleagues, and help shape a more inclusive education system for all learners.
Engaged Research for Health: Tools and Principles
Tools for Engaged Research offers practical resources for involving patients and the public (PPIE) at every stage of the research lifecycle—from conception to sustainability. Many organisations have developed guiding principles for engaged research. While approaches vary, shared themes include trust, two-way communication, power-sharing, flexibility, inclusive ethics, and accountability. Key frameworks include NIHR’s Guiding Principles, UKRI’s Co-production Principles, and PCORI’s Partnership Expectations. The resource also outlines engagement strategies across all research stages: design, data collection, dissemination, and evaluation. Produced by Wellcome and Equitable Health Futures, the full toolkit is available here.
Free Resources to Support Children’s Mental Health
This collection of free resources on children’s mental health are available on the Emerging Minds website. Designed for parents, carers, educators, and health professionals, these materials are based on scientific research, lived experience, and expert insight.
The resources explore key questions: What does children’s mental health look like? What influences it? How can we support children during tough times?
Covering topics from age-appropriate behaviour to nurturing emotional wellbeing, this toolkit helps adults better understand and respond to children's needs—laying a strong foundation for lifelong mental health.
Discover the Exeter Innovation Ideas Hub
The Exeter Innovation Ideas Hub is a dedicated SharePoint site designed to support academics at any career stage with Knowledge Exchange (KE) and Business Engagement (BE). Whether you're just starting out or looking to deepen existing partnerships, the Hub offers guidance on applying your research beyond academia and working effectively with businesses, government bodies, charities, and NGOs.
Explore the Business Engagement Toolkit and access a wide range of Training, events and resources to support your KE journey. Visit the Ideas Hub to find out more and start building impactful external collaborations. Or Gemma Mendham is our CYPW Network EI link and is happy to answer questions.
Funding for Impact, Grant Applications and Beyond
The Impact@Exeter team are excited to announce the launch of Funding for Impact: Grant Applications and Beyond, their latest Impact Essentials training. This pre-recorded module is available here and on the Impact@Exeter section of the RIME SharePoint site.
This 70-minute training, delivered in bite-sized sections, explores the impact funding landscape, strategies for securing funds, and tips for writing compelling, impact-focused proposals. It also dispels common funding myths and highlights how to include evaluation and evidence activities.
Perfect for all career stages, this flexible resource is designed for self-paced learning. Access the training and resources here on the Impact@Exeter area of the RIME SharePoint site.
New Guidance on Research Dissemination Available on RIME
Practical resources are now available on RIME to support effective research dissemination. The guidance offers tutorials, tips, and tools to help you plan strategies that ensure your work reaches the right audiences. Content includes a pre-publication checklist, advice on using academic networks, social media, and engagement events, plus guidance on creating impactful materials such as infographics. It also highlights approaches for engaging policymakers, industry, and other stakeholders.
Effective dissemination boosts research visibility, strengthens academic profiles, supports funding bids, and builds collaborations.
Access the resource here: Research Dissemination on RIME.
Explore PIVOT-RP: get personalised alerts for research funding opportunities
Research funding opportunities can be found on Pivot-RP. As part of ongoing work to develop university-wide support two curated Pivot-RP searches have been set up for fellowship applicants and active fellows that can be readily accessed and tailored to individual's needs. Guidance on how to do this can be found on the RIME Sharepoint site.
As part of adopting Pivot-RP the implementation team want to understand how colleagues are using the database and usefulness of it for their research work. Please do take a few minutes to complete their Pivot-RP user survey on the RIME Sharepoint by Wednesday 1st October.
Explore Funding Opportunities with Funding Finder
Funding opportunities can also be found using the Funding Finder platform developed by the University of Exeter’s Andy Cunliffe, which signposts hundreds of funding opportunities for research, fieldwork, conferences, and exchanges, relevant to individuals at all levels from undergraduates to senior academics. With searchable listings of awards from £100 to £10 million, it's designed to support global collaboration and research engagement. Please use it and share it with your networks. Over 4,000 users from 92 countries have used the tool and more awards are being added frequently.
Thank you for reading our newsletter. Find out more about the Children and Young People's @ Exeter Wellbeing Network.
