Cordis Bright has been funded by the Youth Endowment Fund to undertake an efficacy randomised controlled trial of Cerridwen, a 5-month voluntary one-to-one case manager/mentoring intervention rooted in cognitive behavioural approaches. It is being delivered by Media Academy Cymru (MAC) across Cardiff, Merthyr Tydfil and Swansea in South Wales to young people aged 10-17, and aims to reduce children and young people’s future engagement in youth violence and offending behaviours. The efficacy study, including an internal pilot trial, began in April 2024, and final reporting will take place in October 2026.

Preliminary evidence from a qualitative process evaluation of the programme (which has been delivered in Cardiff since 2015) conducted by Swansea University suggested Cerridwen has potential to be used by a range of organisations and practitioners to help support young people who display violent behaviours (Morgan, 2022). A more robust evaluation using an RCT approach of the programme will enhance its evidence base, and contribute to knowledge and understanding of what works to reduce offending for this cohort.

YEF have recently published the trial protocol for the study, which sets out our approach to study in more detail. This has been developed collaboratively by colleagues from Cordis Bright, MAC, and YEF. The protocol can be accessed below, and further information is available on the YEF website. We have also registered the trial on the ISRTCN registry, a clinical trial registry recognised by WHO and ICMJE.

For more information about the Cerridwen evaluation, please contact Matt Irani at mattirani@cordisbright.co.uk, or Suzie Clements at suzieclements@cordisbright.co.uk.