Deputy Mayor opens new-look service for RCT

Rhondda Cynon Taf’s Deputy Mayor has officially opened a new centre providing essential support and training for people suffering with, or recovering from, serious mental illnesses.

Cllr Simon Lloyd was honoured to be asked to conduct the ceremony at Hafal, which currently offers services across Rhondda and Cynon and is looking to expend into Taff Ely in the near future.

Previously, Hafal in Rhondda was based in Mountain Ash, with a separate facility on the Aberaman Industrial Estate for Cynon. However, both services have now merged into one on the existing Aberaman site, offering a more coordinated facility for users.

Hafal, a registered charity that is funded and supported by Cwm Taf Local Health Board, offers vital services in the rehabilitation and future prosperity of those who have suffered, or are suffering, from serious mental illness.

Hafal, meaning equal, aims to give people aged 18 and over the skills, confidence, training and opportunities needed to:

• Achieve a better quality of life
• Fulfil their ambitions for recovery
• Fight discrimination
• Enjoy equal access to care, housing, education, income and employment.

Those benefiting from the services at Hafal in Rhondda and Cynon are usually referred to the charity by their social worker or community psychiatric nurse.

However, those who feel they could also benefit from Hafal are urged to make contact, but will be subject to an assessment from the Community Mental Health Team to ensure they will get what they need from the service.

Many clients visit the service daily, while others attend once a week, taking advantage of sessions including IT training, confidence building, an allotment where healthy food is grown and then cooked, employment training, carpentry, arts and crafts and more.

There is also general support both for clients and their carers.

Project Manager Joseph Davies, said: “Hafal offers vital services that make a real difference to the recovery and future life quality of those with serious mental illnesses, which is why we are so keen to continue improving and expanding.

“Basing the Rhondda and Cynon branches in the same centre means better, more efficient services for our customers. We are also looking forward to providing similar services and support in Taff Ely in the near future.

“People who wish to find out more about us and what we offer can do so by visiting www.hafal.org”.

Deputy Mayor Cllr Simon Lloyd added: “It was an honour to be invited to attend this exciting opening and see for myself the work that is going on to assist people to create a better way of life for themselves and their families.

“Hafal means equal and I was very impressed by the variety and range of services on offer to ensure people who do suffer from serious mental illness have equality when it comes to the things so many of us take for granted, such as education, employment, housing and income.”

For more information, visit www.hafal.org or contact 01685 884918