'How it REALLY is!' Understanding well-being - a step change in Wales

On Thursday 3 March we held our fourth National Intelligence Event at Cardiff City Stadium, Cardiff.

The key theme of the event was ‘How it REALLY is’ – Understanding well-being – a step change in Wales. The event aimed to:

• Improve understanding of the role and importance of the assessments;
• Explore the overlap and difference between different assessments;
• Discuss the use of data and evidence, and the ‘so what’ question;
• Explore how we can effectively involve and engage with the citizen; and
• Provide models and practical examples which delegates could consider/take away.

The event attracted 100 people and, in addition to representatives from the majority of local authorities in Wales, there were also delegates from health and the third sector.

The event was opened by the Chair of the Data Unit Board, Councillor Jeff James, followed by Christopher Stevens, Head of Planning and Partnership Branch and Claire Germain Head of Local Government Partnerships, Welsh Government. Chris and Claire held a question and answer session which stimulated lots of discussion.

We also heard from Dr. Alan Netherwood from Netherwood Sustainable Futures who talked about his work with the Welsh Local Government Association (WLGA) on the Future Generations Act Early Adopter Programme and work on futures governance at Cardiff University to explore how the needs of future generations can be represented in well-being assessments

The event also attracted exhibitors from the public sector. Exhibitors included:

• Wales Audit Office
• Care Council for Wales
• Welsh Government Social Services Directorate
• Good Practice Wales
• Welsh Local Government Association (WLGA)
• Data Unit Wales
• Dewis Cymru
• Welsh Government Stats Directorate.

Either side of lunch stimulating and thought provoking breakout sessions took place. These focused on a range of subjects:

• Supporting the development of Population Assessments
• National goals, the sustainable development principle and the Auditor General’s new duty: how can we achieve a meaningful, risk-based and proportionate approach to audit?
• National data, local evidence
• Understanding the needs of the citizen: Role of effective involvement and engagement
• Generation 2050: Long-term challenges need long-term strategies
• Response analysis in practice.

The sessions were facilitated and supported by colleagues from the Wales Audit Office, Public Health Wales, Participation Cymru, Social Services Improvement Agency, Welsh Local Government Association, Welsh Government, Ceredigion County Council, City and County of Swansea and Cwm Taf UHB.

The day was brought to a close with Russell De’Ath, Senior Natural Resource Management Adviser, Natural Resources Wales who talked about how the Environment (Wales) Bill gives NRW a particular focus in communicating both the risks and the opportunities that the management of natural resources offers for human well-being, and how they are approaching this new challenge and how this will inform well-being assessments and well-being plans.