Mental Health Matters

Mental Health Matters Wales is a charity organisation that provides vital mental health support services, such as advocacy, peer support and wellbeing activities for vulnerable groups in the local community. Recognising the importance of creating safe, welcoming environments, Mental Health Matters Wales applied for a Resilient Communities Capital Grant to support the refurbishment and enhancement of their facilities in the Union Offices, Bridgend. The aim of the refurbishments was to make the spaces more welcoming, accessible and inclusive for the service users, staff, volunteers and community partners.

The organisation gathered valuable feedback from regular service users, which identified four areas of priority:
1. Purchase new, robust furniture to offer comfort and a more welcoming environment.
2. Purchase portable Bluetooth speakers for delivery of mindfulness and music therapy sessions in their dementia and wellbeing hubs.
3. Painting of the interior and exterior, to reflect the quality of the support provided.
4. Purchase of a pool table jack to enable staff to reconfigure spaces safely.

Once the Reach team approved the grant application, Mental Health Matters Wales purchased the necessary items and secured a contractor for the painting works. The refurbishment was carried out with minimal disruption to ongoing services, ensuring continuity of support for service users. The work has transformed the Union Offices into a more inviting, functional, and inclusive space. The upgraded facilities have also enabled Mental Health Matters Wales to open its doors to other community groups, such as Parkinson’s UK, fostering collaboration and wider community engagement.

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