The winners of this year’s Family Learning Awards have been announced, with Cardiff and Vale College Highly Commended in the Family Learning to Support Health and Wellbeing category.
The Family Learning Awards, organised by the lifelong learning initiative Campaign for Learning and the National Centre for Family Learning, celebrate imaginative, innovative and engaging initiatives across the UK that make a real difference to families and their communities. They recognise organisations that have used new approaches and collaborations in the past year to create inclusive learning opportunities for families.
CAVC was recognised for its Understanding Emotions programme, established by the College’s Family Learning team in response to growing concerns from schools about children’s emotional resilience and parents’ confidence in supporting wellbeing. The programme brought parents and children together in school to explore emotions, strengthen communication and develop practical strategies for managing stress. Digital elements, including online safety and simple activities, also helped parents feel more confident in supporting their children in a digital world.
The programme supported 486 families and 992 individuals across more than 50 schools, with a 94% competition rate. Delivery was strategically targeted in areas of high deprivation, ensuring under-represented groups including those new to English, home-educating families and parents and carers of children with additional learning needs.
Evidence showed significant improvements in parent confidence, emotional wellbeing and engagement with education. Families reported stronger relationships, better communication and greater confidence in managing emotions at home. Schools observed improved behaviour, increased attendance and more engagement in the classroom. The programme also helped to reduce isolation by fostering supportive peer networks, particularly for families new to the community.
Cardiff and Vale College Principal Sharon James-Evans said: “We are absolutely delighted to have been Highly Commended in the Family Learning Awards – congratulations to the CAVC Family Learning team!
“At Cardiff and Vale College we pride ourselves at being in the heart of the communities that we serve, and the Family Learning team are a shining example of that work. They work to co-produce the Family Learning programme with children, parents, carers and school leaders to ensure it responds to the needs of families in those communities, enabling parents and carers to learn and develop with their families.
“The innovative, imaginative and inclusive way that the team delivers learning opportunities to families across the Capital Region and the success of the Understanding Emotions programme is an inspiration and this commendation is a testament to that.”
In 2026, the four award categories recognised family learning projects working with children in the early years, innovative approaches to learning, activities supporting health and wellbeing, and initiatives involving science, technology, engineering, or mathematics (STEM).
Miranda Baxter, Deputy Director at Campaign for Learning, said: “The Family Learning Awards recognise and celebrate exemplary and effective family learning initiatives taking place nationally. Every year, the judges are bowled over by the calibre of applications and standards of excellence across what is an exceptionally diverse and specialist sector in the UK.
“Family learning is about creating rich learning experiences and stronger relationships that transform thinking, boost skills and create a lifelong culture of learning. Every applicant has demonstrated a positive impact on their community. They have worked with families in creative and responsive ways in which the families were co-creators and valued as equal learning partners.
“Everyone benefits from family learning: families, organisers, the entire community ecosystem. The organisations and individuals submitting applications are a passionate group who truly believe in the power of family engagement. We at Campaign for Learning are thrilled to announce this year’s winners and commended organisations, and we thank everyone who submitted an application.”