Bridgend Association of Voluntary Organisations

Voluntary Networks

Mental Health Networks.

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.

 

Bridgend County Borough Mental Health Voluntary Sector Network

The Forum brings together a number of local and national organisations who work in the field of mental health and mental well-being. It enables opportunities to discuss current issues, potential joint projects, maximising service opportunities and avoiding duplication of work. It is also an opportunity for the wider voluntary sector, who provide services to people who may also have mental health issues, to link in, share information and work in partnership.

It also provides voluntary sector representation at strategic level alongside statutory agencies and public bodies and the Forum is also heavily involved in county wide planning processes.

The next meeting is on 16th July 2008 at 10am at Hafal, Tondu. Following meetings are; 17th September 2008, 19th November 2008, venues to be confirmed. All meetings start at 10am. Download the latest minutes here.

View the MHVS Network terms of reference here.

If you work with or support people who have mental health issues and would like further information on how to be involved and kept informed, please contact us on 01656 810400.

 

DAVAN Forum

This Forum brings together workers, volunteers, and voluntary organisations that are involved in supporting people and/or working to combat substance misuse issues whether it be tackling the issue within the Borough, or tackling it within their own organisations and service users.

The forum meets monthly and again provides opportunity to share information and feed into strategic planning mechanisms and the work of the Substance Misuse Action Team (SMAT) for Bridgend County, ensuring the wide range of services are complimentary to each other and not duplicating.

The next meeting is on Wednesday 6th of August at 1.30 in the offices of Homestart, Nolton Street, Bridgend. The subsequent meetings for this year will be bi-monthly on the first Wednesday of that month. Meetings start at 1.30, venues to be confirmed. Download the latest minutes here.

View the DAVAN terms of reference here.

If you would like more information, contact Andy on 01656 810400

 

SUN - Service User Network

The Forum Supports the full and effective participation of individuals within mental health services. It comprises a group of service users from various mental health services in Bridgend County Borough.

The network provides peer support to its members.

The members of the Forum can access training opportunities in committee skills, self-empowerment and any other areas deemed necessary by the members and the mental health development officer to ensure the success of the Forum.

All members are volunteers but travel expenses can be reimbursed.

The aims of the forum are:

  • To be a focal point for people using or having previously used mental health services.
  • To act as a force for change in services.
  • To improve communication between service users and service providers.
  • To promote high standards of service provision and the consideration of new services in Bridgend County Borough.

These aims can be achieved through:

  • Participation
    - Representation in all Mental Health Service planning meetings.
    - Forum input at the World Mental Health Day in Bridgend.
  • Information
    - Sharing information on a wide variety of mental health issues in a confidential manner.
    - Raising public awareness through display and promotion.

Service User Network meetings are now held at Coed Parc Information Library, Park Street, Bridgend on the first Monday of every month starting at 4.30pm. The meeting is open to all who access mental health services in the Bridgend County Borough. Download the latest minutes here.

Further information about SUN can be obtained from  Tania Dickinson, Service User & Carer Participation Officer, based at Hafal, Tondu. tel 01656 729191, email; sucpobridgend@hafal.org

'Reaching Out, making a difference' Support Group

Reaching Out, making a difference is a new community support group for all people in the Bridgend Borough with mental health issues. They meet every Wednesday evening 6.30-8.45pm at the Lifeling Learning Centre, Sarn. Carers and friends are also welcome. Contact email reachingout@uwclub.net for more information.

Mental Health Promotion Wales

Download the latest edition here.

 

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