Bridgend Association of Voluntary Organisations

Mental Health

If you are an individual or a group whose aim is to promote mental health, or to provide a service for people with a mental health problem, if you haven't got in touch with BAVO, then perhaps you should.

Mental Health

Bridgend Association of Voluntary Organisations (BAVO) is the umbrella organisation that has the interests of the voluntary groups in the Bridgend area uppermost in mind. If you are an individual or a group whose aim is to promote mental health, or to provide a service for people with a mental health problem, if you haven't got in touch with BAVO, then perhaps you should.

We could give you information, training and advice on mental health policy, funding and other matters. If you are a mental health service user, or a carer, we are there for you. We work with the other agencies involved in mental health service planning to best fulfil the needs of service users and carers.

If you want to set up a group we can give you advice about getting started, with information about anything from funding to writing a constitution. If you want advice we can help you with resources and access to other specialist groups who might be able to help you further.

Email: BAVO Mental Health Development Officer

or write to:

BAVO 112-113 Commercial Street,
Maesteg
CF34 9DL
Tel: 01656 810400

Mental Health Development Service

As envisaged by the WCVA the mental health development service should be active in the following ways:

As a resource for information, training and advice on mental health policy, funding, management and other matters, to voluntary organisations, users and carers.
Supporting joint working between voluntary organisations, users and carers and other sectors, and representing their views to decision–makers and others in ways that lead to effective outcomes and partnerships.
Identifying unmet needs that might be met within the voluntary sector and assisting the development of new services or organisations.

It is the role of the Mental Health Development Officer to bring together the elements of service user involvement, carer involvement and the voluntary sector strategically to fulfil the aims of the mental health development service within Bridgend County Borough.

Mental Health Promotion & Training

The next meeting will be held on 8th June at 2pm. The venue is to be confirmed.

For more information contact Heidi Bennett at BAVO on 01656 810400 or email heidibennett@bavo.org.uk

Directory of Mental Health and Related Services for Bridgend & District

For adult services directory follow the link http://www.mhmbcb.com/

For the young person's directory follow the link http://www.mhmbcb.com/chooselife.htm

Mental Health in the Workplace

For Health Works Partners, for information please follow the link to a website on mental health in the workplace.

MOT Your Mental Health in 2010

A million pound project set up to promote positive mental health across the boroughs of Bridgend and Neath Port Talbot is urging residents to make a resolution to look after their emotional well being in 2010.

'Siaradwn Ni - Lets Talk' is a five year project backed by the Big Lottery Fund's Mental Health Matters programme. It is aimed at working with local voluntary and statutory agencies to promote positive mental well being, reduce barriers to accessing support, provide training and support to people who might be affected by mental health issues such as depression, anxiety and self harm.

Dr Tegwyn Williams, from the Mental Health Services Directorate of the ABMU Local Health Board, said "With the arrival of 2010, many people will be making New Year's resolutions about their physical health but it is important not to forget to look after your mental well being too.

"Mental health often suffers during the festive and new year periods - relationships can become strained, your normal routine is affected, money worries can increase and even overindulgence on alcohol and unhealthy food can affect the way you feel and see life.

"So make a resolution for 2010 to look after your own emotional health and support others to do the same."

Siaradwn Ni plans to launch its website early in the new year where you will be able to link into the project and access the relevant aspects of the project, so look out for www.siaradwnni.org.uk.

The first 'Siaradwn Ni - Lets Talk' conference which will be on the theme of 'Men and their Mental Health', will be held in the Bethlehem Church Life Centre, Cefn Cribwr, on the afternoon of 19th March 2010. For tickets and further information on the conference, please contact Mental Helath Matters on 01656 651450 or email admin@mhmwales.org