“MHM has been the only thing that has helped me... and I want it to continue.” A Thematic Analysis of Field Notes: 3 month report July - Sept 2025
A Thematic Analysis of Field Notes 3 month report July - Sept 2025 Prepared by: Dr Michaela James Swansea University, blog written by Nicole Burchett 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 Parents Wellbeing (SPW) Community Interest Company, based in Cardiff.
The project engages with children and young people (CYP) (10-24 years) from single parent households (SPH) to co-design and deliver what they need to create positive pathways to a mentally healthy future. During the project the young people are given the opportunity to make new connections, have their voices heard and build positive foundations for their future.
Every three months we receive a report from Swansea University which gives an overview of the progress of the project. As the project enters its final year, the focus of the most recent report heads back to the start to see how well the project has achieved its three main aims:
Using a deductive thematic analysis our partners at Swansea University have studied the field notes from July to September 2025. What follows is a summary of the conclusions under each of the three aims followed by other highlighted areas that were present and the recommendations for the final months of the project.
Learn and Grow
The field notes showed the focus on developing healthy relationships with the young people, was a priority for SPW and is deeply embedded across the MHM project. This has resulted in the young people demonstrating increased confidence (especially when involved in hands-on learning), awareness of their wellbeing and in the development of relationships.
Seeing the regular C4C [Champions for Change] members welcoming and including the ad-hoc C4C members was lovely to see.
The organic nature of the development of relationships, aligns with the organic and natural way SPW responds to the needs of the CYP. Offering new opportunities to build trusted relationships and supporting peer to peer connections in informal and safe spaces, has helped them open up to staff about the challenges they may be facing:
Had a great conversation with a YAA [Youth Action Academy] member, reflecting on childhood memories and about being neurodivergent and things that work for us/ don’t work for us and how all our brains are wired so differently.
MHM has been the only thing that has helped me... and I want it to continue.
Building Leadership and Ownership
Through co-production, the CYP regularly shapes the content and development of the sessions run for them, whether it is ideas for socials or how to organise the Big Meet Up in their area. This helps them gain trust, confidence and develop a sense of control over what they engage with.
The young people from ACC [African Community Centre] listened to the music track for the first time and realised that their lyrics were featured, their reactions were beautiful to see.
This also links with the health and wellbeing focus of the project as the CYP build and own a sense of themselves and their collective values. Whilst ‘building leadership and ownership’ the CYP are also developing empathy and experience in cooperation and compromise (leading back to the healthy relationships of aim 1).
Inform and Influence
This theme is still developing when compared to the previous two, which happen in a more organic way led by example in the staff. The main evidence for this aim is in the four-weekly ‘research’ session where the CYP feeds into research by our partners on the project; Public Health Wales.
Another example is through the blogs written by the older young people related to health and wellbeing or through designing their own presentation and public speaking at events such as during ‘World Youth Skills’ day.
Another area the field notes highlighted is that of ‘Logistics’. This relates to the accessibility of events, how early and comprehensive communication can be used to increase attendance. It was concluded that small adjustments can make big differences.
We filmed a video directing parents on how to find the location... parents said they found this helpful.
Late arrivals and running over time were a feature and reduced staffing numbers to safely run an event, led to stress and safety concerns.
We were down two members of staff... board games were not played due to lack of facilitators.
Another theme that came out from the field notes during the three months was ‘Feedback’. This reflected the positive experiences of the CYP, parents and staff and supported the focus of the health and wellbeing of the CYP. The feedback often highlighted the fun nature of the events, the interaction and the new activities they had not had experience with before.
I can’t believe I’ve never watched this carnival before, it’s brilliant.
I learnt so much but I want to learn more now.
It also related to the sense of belonging and friendship development that had occurred since joining the MHM project. They connected over sharing similar interests and finding out that they had things in common. For the interactions with staff the feedback came in the form of enjoying the influence they had in shaping the project, showing how comfortable they felt in doing this and challenging staff:
A Young person fed back that the term ‘lads’ was being used when there was a girl attending.
The parents of the young people were also keen to share feedback on how their young people had been positively impacted by the project and as well as themselves:
I feel like we’re celebrating being a single mum today.
Recommendations:
Expand opportunities for CYP to inform, influence, and advocate
Continue prioritising relationship building and emotional safety
Strengthen logistical planning