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What we did.
A look back at Family Futures Summit 2025.
Where we started.
In September 2025, more than 70 parents working across Wales’ screen sector came together for the first Family Futures Summit at Cardiff Castle.
Alongside employers, unions, and industry partners, we explored what it really takes to build a sector where parents and families can thrive.
Our process.
The Summit was built on months of listening and collaboration. This process gave the Summit its foundation: authentic parent priorities, real industry engagement, and a commitment to action.
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2. Engaging widely
We drew in perspectives from 20 organisations across the industry from production companies and unions to training bodies.
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20 organisations
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3. Designing the day
From this listening, three themes emerged: community and support, testing new ways, and changing the narrative. These are the threads running through the programme.
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3 themes
1. Listening to parents
We had over 150 conversations with parents across Wales’ screen sector.
Their experiences, frustrations, and hopes are the foundation of the Summit.
150+ conversations
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4. The Summit
For the first time, 70 parents are gathering in one room.
A chance to connect, share stories, and shape what comes next.
70 parents together
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5. Next steps
Every post-it and flipchart was captured. A report will share back what parents created, and the next steps will be co-created with them.
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Dozens of ideas
What we explored.
The Summit programme was built around the three themes parents told us mattered most:
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Community and support. To feel connected and less alone in the sector.
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Testing new ways of working. To experiment with mentoring, job shares, flexible practices, and more.
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Changing the narrative. To shift how parents are seen, from being a problem to being a vital part of the future.
Over four sessions, we heard from high-profile speakers, listened to personal stories, and worked together at tables to shape ideas for change.
Our contributors.
This was the first time such a diverse and high-profile group of industry figures and parents had come together in Wales to focus specifically on families in the screen sector.
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Award Winning Exec. Producer
LORETTA PREECE
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Bectu Vision
AMY SHAW
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Women in Film & TV
SARAH ASANTE-GREGORY
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MD at Triongl
ALEC SPITERI
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Raising Films
JESSICA LEVICK
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Independent Producer
NOEL GOODWIN
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Cinemamas
VALERIA BULLO
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People & Culture Consultant
LISA BALDERSON
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Bectu
CARWYN DONOVAN
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Media Cymru
SALLY LISK-LEWIS
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Work Redesign Expert
JESS LANCASHIRE
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Art Director
SARAH NOTLEY
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Coach & Leadership Expert
ANDREA YEARSLEY
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Factual TV Producer
DUDLEY CRUSE
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Scriptwriter
NUNO MENDES
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ReelTime Media
MICHELLE REYNOLDS
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PiPA
CASSIE RAINE
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Media Parents
AMY WALKER
What we heard.
Parents told us:
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Childcare is the single biggest barrier. Flexible, affordable, reliable provision is critical.
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The culture of the sector; long hours, presenteeism, and silence around parenting makes life harder than it needs to be.
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Flexible working patterns, job shares, and open, supportive managers can make a huge difference.
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Many promising initiatives already exist, but they need visibility, connection, and momentum to scale.
What happens next.
The Family Futures Summit will return in 2026. In the meantime, we are:
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Working with parents to define the priorities for change.
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Convening employers and partners to develop solutions to the challenges parents told us matter most.
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Launching a resource hub and events programme to connect parents with support, tools and opportunities.
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Tracking and sharing impact to build the case for change.
Thank you.
To every parent who contributed their voice, and to every partner who brought their expertise and support, thank you.
You shaped the first Family Futures Summit.
You set the agenda for change.
Together, we are reimagining what’s possible.