What is Cynefin?
Cynefin is a Welsh word that represents a place where you feel you belong, where the surroundings are familiar and comforting. At Cynefin, we strive to bring this sense of belonging into schools, supporting leaders and communities in creating welcoming, inclusive environments where everyone thrives.
Mission Statement:
Cynefin is dedicated to fostering wellbeing in school communities across Gwent, with a commitment to creating emotionally safe, fair, and inclusive environments for all.
Vision:
We value the fundamental importance of relationships and learning within school communities. Through collaboration and empowerment, we help schools navigate sustainable, meaningful change.
Our Values
- Nurture: We prioritize creating emotionally safe and supportive environments, ensuring that everyone feels cared for and valued.
- Equity: We are committed to fairness, making sure all members of the school community have equal access to opportunities and support for individual needs.
- Voice: We empower individuals to express their thoughts and ideas, fostering open communication and shared ownership in building a positive school culture.
Our History
Cynefin was founded to bring wellbeing to the forefront of school communities across Gwent. From early collaborations to today’s impactful partnerships, our journey reflects a steadfast commitment to supporting educators and students alike.
- 2018-2020: Laying the Foundation
Cynefin’s early years focused on engaging partners through initiatives like the Elements of Wellbeing film and Spirals of Inquiry webinars, ultimately leading to the Gwent Whole School Approach—a transformative collaboration between health and education sectors.
- 2020-2021: Supporting Schools Through Covid-19
Amidst the challenges of lockdown, we published the Spirals Handbook and continued to support schools with resources and guidance to maintain wellbeing during unprecedented times.
- 2021-2023: Expanding Our Reach
As Cynefin, we strengthened our role through Learning Burst events, Wellbeing Forums, and direct school support, becoming a trusted partner in fostering resilience and inclusivity within school communities.
- 2024-2025 and Beyond: Strengthening Partnerships
Today, Cynefin works in close collaboration with schools to meet evolving needs, guided by our core values of Nurture, Equity, and Voice. We continue to innovate, empowering schools to build sustainable, thriving communities.
Our Approach
Collaborative and Evidence-Based:
Guided by our values, we work in close partnership with schools, using evidence-based practices and personalized support to help each school community achieve its wellbeing goals.