A Swansea-based children’s mental health service has been named School Wellbeing Support Specialists of the Year at a national awards ceremony recognising innovation and excellence in mental health support.
The Exchange programme, delivered by Health is One, picked up the title at the 2026 Global Health and Pharma Mental Health Awards.
The annual awards celebrate organisations across the UK that demonstrate innovation and commitment in mental health support.
The Exchange has been operating for nearly two decades, working with ten local authorities across the UK to deliver counselling and therapeutic support in more than 800 schools.
It is headquartered in Swansea – making the win a significant recognition for a service rooted in south-west Wales.
The award reflects the service’s approach to embedding counselling within a wider, coordinated response to children’s needs – what the team describes as a “whole-system approach.”
The Exchange works with teachers, families and wider services to identify concerns early and provide practical, age-appropriate support – across home, school, health and community settings.
The therapy offered ranges widely depending on the needs of each child.
It includes one-to-one and group counselling, play-based therapy for younger children, creative approaches for children with additional learning needs, and structured support for young people experiencing anxiety, low mood or difficulties in relationships.
The programme works in close partnership with health services, local authorities and third sector organisations.
This collaborative model is designed to reduce demand on specialist provision and provide more community-based responses to mental health concerns affecting children and young people.
For The Exchange, the award reflects an approach focused on building capacity within schools and strengthening links between universal services and specialist mental health provision.
Emma Davies, Director at Health is One, said the recognition mattered because it reflected what the team knew worked for children in Wales.
“The Exchange functions as part of a whole-system response, working alongside schools, families, local authorities and health services to make sure children receive the right support at the right time,” she said.
She said the team remained committed to delivering services that reflected those priorities. “We are proud that our work is recognised at a national level, and we remain committed to delivering services that genuinely reflect those priorities,” she said.
The Exchange’s recognition comes at a time when children’s mental health services across Wales – and the wider UK – are under increasing pressure, with rising demand for support and long waits for specialist provision in many areas. The Welsh Government previously pledged an extra £9.4m investment in children and young people’s mental health services in recognition of growing demand.
Other Swansea-based programmes have also been recognised for their work in this space, including the Bouncing Back Plus classroom and exercise programme which is delivering wellbeing support to primary school children across the city.
Schools and families seeking more information about The Exchange programme, or wishing to make a referral, can find further details on the Health is One website.
